A hydrogen-powered digger has been locally operated on a major UK infrastructure project for the first time, signalling a significant step towards environmentally-friendly construction and carbon neutrality goals.
A hydrogen-powered digger has been deployed for the first time on a live construction site as part of the Lower Thames Crossing project, marking a significant milestone in sustainable infrastructure development. The 20-tonne JCB machine, which runs on hydrogen instead of diesel, has been operating near Gravesend in Kent to conduct ground investigation surveys. According to National Highways, the client for the project, this deployment represents the first use of such hydrogen-fuelled heavy equipment outside a test environment, saving more than one tonne of CO2 equivalent emissions in just its first four weeks of operation.
The digger, built by JCB in Staffordshire and supplied by Flannery Plant Hire, is fuelled by hydrogen provided by Ryze, a company founded by Jo Bamford, son of JCB chair Anthony Bamford. Skanska, the contractor delivering the Kent section of the project, is responsible for utilising the machine on site. This collaboration follows a successful trial earlier this year at Gallagher’s Hermitage Quarry in Kent, where hydrogen-powered machinery demonstrated safe and effective operations, including mobile refuelling infrastructure. The trial involved a JCB 540-180H Loadall model powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, which replaced a conventional diesel machine for masonry work.
The deployment forms part of National Highways’ ambition to make the Lower Thames Crossing the first major UK infrastructure project to achieve carbon neutrality in construction. The £9 billion project includes a 23-kilometre road and tunnel linking Essex and Kent, set to double road capacity east of London across the Thames. Planning consent was granted in March, with construction expected to begin in 2026, subject to funding. The project aims to cut construction emissions by 70% and fully offset any remaining carbon impacts in line with industry best practices by the early 2030s.
National Highways has pledged to eliminate diesel from all worksites by 2027 and is preparing to award what is claimed to be the largest green hydrogen supply contract in UK construction history. Alongside hydrogen-powered machinery, the project will deploy electric plant and prioritise low-carbon materials, using the lowest-carbon available steel and concrete. Skanska is responsible for the Roads South of the Thames package, while Balfour Beatty holds the £1.2 billion Roads North of the Thames contract, although the latter work has been delayed until at least 2026.
The infrastructure project also prioritises biodiversity, promising to create six times more green space than its road footprint, including new woodlands, a million trees, two public parks, and seven green bridges. The majority of the route—approximately 80%—will be constructed in tunnels, cuttings, or concealed behind earthworks to minimise environmental impact.
Industry experts have welcomed these developments as pivotal steps toward net-zero construction in the UK. Matt Palmer, executive director for the Lower Thames Crossing at National Highways, described the live use of the hydrogen digger as “an incredibly exciting moment” for British construction. Meanwhile, Ben Goodwin, director of policy and public affairs at the Civil Engineering Contractors Association, highlighted the sector’s determination to meet the challenge of achieving a net-zero construction industry to support the UK’s transition to a high-growth, net-zero economy.
Skanska’s experience with hydrogen-powered construction is not limited to the Lower Thames Crossing. The company has also pioneered the use of hydrogen dual-fuel piling rigs on the HS2 high-speed rail project in London, reducing traditional fuel consumption by around 36%. This ability to integrate hydrogen into various construction operations underscores the growing momentum toward greener construction practices across major UK infrastructure projects.
As the Lower Thames Crossing project progresses, its commitment to innovative low-carbon solutions, including hydrogen-powered equipment and extensive environmental enhancements, positions it as a leading example of sustainable infrastructure development in the UK and beyond.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, published on 2 October 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is 5 June 2025, when National Highways announced a successful hydrogen-powered construction trial for the Lower Thames Crossing. ([nationalhighways.co.uk](https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/lower-thames-crossing/news-and-media/hydrogen-powered-construction-a-step-closer/?utm_source=openai)) The report is not republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release from Construction News, which typically warrants a high freshness score. There are no discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes compared to earlier versions. The article includes updated data on the hydrogen-powered digger’s deployment, justifying a higher freshness score. No similar content has appeared more than 7 days earlier.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes in the narrative are unique and do not appear in earlier material. No identical quotes were found in previous publications. The wording of the quotes matches the sources cited, with no variations. No online matches were found for the quotes, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from Construction News, a reputable UK-based publication. The report cites information from National Highways, Skanska, and JCB, all of which have verifiable online presences. No unverifiable entities are mentioned. The narrative does not originate from an obscure or unverifiable source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the deployment of a hydrogen-powered digger on the Lower Thames Crossing project are plausible and align with previous reports. The narrative is covered by other reputable outlets, including Traffic Technology Today and Construction Enquirer News. ([traffictechnologytoday.com](https://www.traffictechnologytoday.com/news/electric-vehicles-ev-infrastructure/world-first-lower-thames-crossing-deploys-hydrogen-powered-digger.html?utm_source=openai)) The report includes specific factual anchors, such as the machine’s weight (20 tonnes), location (near Gravesend in Kent), and the amount of CO₂ equivalent emissions saved (over one tonne in the first four weeks). The language and tone are consistent with UK construction industry reporting. There is no excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is formal and resembles typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent and based on original content, with no discrepancies or recycled material. The quotes are unique and the sources are reliable. The claims are plausible and supported by other reputable outlets. The language and tone are appropriate for the UK construction industry. No credibility risks were identified.
