Liebherr has introduced what it claims to be the world's first large wheel loader equipped with a hydrogen engine, marking a significant step away from fossil fuels. The prototype was unveiled at Liebherr's Bischofshofen plant in Austria during a trade event, showcasing its practical application for the first time.

Simultaneously, Liebherr inaugurated the first hydrogen filling station in Salzburg, emphasizing a pivotal milestone in adopting hydrogen as a sustainable energy source. Herbert Pfab, Chief Technical Officer at Liebherr Bischofshofen, highlighted the importance of access to hydrogen for advancing their research in decarbonizing construction machinery.

The development of the L 566 H prototype large wheel loader with a hydrogen engine followed extensive studies, identifying hydrogen as the optimal solution for large vehicles challenging to electrify without CO2 emissions. Liebherr noted that while battery-electric solutions are viable for smaller vehicles up to 15 tons, larger machines up to 40 tons with high energy demands benefit more from hydrogen reciprocating piston engines.

The engines, produced at Liebherr's Components plant in Bulle, Switzerland, are engineered for high efficiency and zero greenhouse gas emissions, with minimal nitrogen oxide production. They are designed with thermal and mechanical interfaces comparable to diesel engines, supporting sustainable large-scale machinery development.

Liebherr Bischofshofen collaborated with Maximator Hydrogen to manufacture the filling station and as a research partner. They are also working on mobile filling solutions to enable refueling at construction sites. MPREIS, a green hydrogen supplier, also contributed to the project's success.