An end-to-end solution to decarbonising construction machinery will be on display at PlantWorx 2025, with Plantforce set to exhibit one of their 20-tonne class excavators that has been converted to run on a blend of hydrogen and diesel to reduce emissions by over 30%. With the machine developed as part of the Element 1 project, Plantforce will be exhibiting in the Site Sustainability Showcase area, alongside project partners ULEMCo, who will be displaying their HyTANKa®, a hydrogen-powered refuelling truck designed to support off-road equipment.
Supported by government funding, the Element 1 project aims to eliminate the use of diesel as fuel on UK construction sites by 2040. Using targeted research and development into the replacement of diesel-using technologies, its objective is to accelerate a commercially viable, globally scalable low-carbon alternative that uses hydrogen.
By bringing together industry experts, the consortium has already retrofitted two 22-tonne Kobelco SK210HLC-10E hybrid excavators, which are part of the Plantforce fleet. The ULEMCo team fitted four hydrogen tanks above the engine on a specially-designed cradle, allowing the gas to be fed into the engine to lower the volumes of diesel being burnt by 30%.
Using the same engine and hydraulic system as the standard SK210, it operationally delivers the same performance as the fossil fuelled machine. It’s also fully equipped with safety systems such as human form recognition camera systems and slew and height restrictors, plus efficiency tools such as 3D GPS, making it a highly productive machine.
More than a proof of concept, one of these excavators has already been used by construction business BAM on the Brighouse project, a scheme of flood alleviation measures on the River Calder and Clifton Beck.
Plantforce Commercial Director Chris Matthew commented, “The SK210 Hybrid is already seen as a greener alternative to the traditional fully diesel-powered versions thanks to its electric drive slew motor, which significantly lowers fuel consumption. The work undertaken by the ULEMCo team is allowing us to further reduce emissions with commercially tested hydrogen fuel technology.”
Alongside the converted machine, the HyTANKa® will also be on display. Serving a similar purpose to traditional diesel bowers, it offers a safe, flexible and self-contained solution for onsite equipment refuelling. Also tested in the real world, this vehicle will help keep hybrid or fully hydrogen-fuelled machines running while refuelling infrastructure is in its infancy.
Amanda Lyne, Managing Director of ULEMCo, said, “HyTANKa® provides the missing link between hydrogen production and point-of-use on active construction sites. It has been designed to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy in one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise. We believe that HyTANKa® represents a key step forward for using hydrogen in construction and other off-grid industrial sectors.”
When asked about showcasing these revolutionary machines to industry professionals at PlantWorx, Chris said, “We’re so excited to have both pieces of equipment on display at this year’s event. All Element 1 partners have worked hard to take steps in our collective journey to decarbonising the construction industry, something which is essential if we’re to meet net zero goals. “They’ve already been tried and tested onsite, so we know the proof of concept works. We believe these machines are not just a statement of our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability, but also mark another stepping stone of progress into operations that will be greener with no drop in performance or efficiency.”
