World’s first hydrogen-powered large wheel loader prototype being tested in pilot project

A prototype of Liebherr's large hydrogen-powered wheel loader, the first of its kind in the world, will be tested in a new decarbonized construction pilot project at the Kanzelstein quarry in Gratkorn, Austria. 

The L 566 H wheel loader will be part of a two-year test project operated by STRABAG, Austria's largest construction company. A hydrogen filling station, supplied by Energie Steiermark, will provide the green hydrogen required to refuel the wheel loader directly at the quarry. 

At an event kicking off the project, Leonore Gewessler, Austria's climate action minister, praised Liebherr's commitment to reducing greenhouse and other harmful gasses, and its cooperation with STRABAG on testing hydrogen technology. "I am pleased to see innovative companies pushing ahead with pilot projects, especially in forms of mobility that are difficult to electrify, such as those in the construction sector," she said. 

STRABAG is the first test contractor in the construction industry

"We want to be climate neutral by 2040," says STRABAG CEO Klemens Haselsteiner. "The only way to achieve this is by consistently and comprehensively saving carbon dioxide, for example, in the operation of construction machinery." 

The hydrogen-engine large wheel loader is estimated to keep up to 100 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from being emitted each year, corresponding to about 37,500 litres of diesel, says the company. 

The hydrogen engines are manufactured by Liebherr's components division engine plant in Bulle, Switzerland. These engines are engineered to emit zero greenhouse gasses and almost no nitrogen oxides, but also aim to offer excellent efficiency. 

"The technology also enables large vehicles that are difficult to electrify due to their high energy demand to be operated without emitting carbon dioxide," explains Dr.-Ing. Herbert Pfab, technical director of Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen. 

A goal of proving climate-neutral industry is possible

With the pilot project, Liebherr and STRABAG are demonstrating how emissions can be reduced in a sector that is difficult to decarbonise by means of alternative fuels. Climate-neutral hydrogen produced with wind and water power or solar energy can be a key enabler for achieving the goal of climate neutrality set by Austria's politicians. 

"Green hydrogen is an indispensable element of our future energy. As an important and valuable energy source, it helps replace fossil natural gas — especially in industry," says Gewessler.