Bauma Innovation Award for Liebherr R 9XX H2
Liebherr’s first excavator powered by hydrogen wins award in climate protection category
THE first Liebherr hydraulic excavator to be powered by a hydrogen engine, the prototype R 9XX H2, has won the 2022 Bauma Innovation Award in the climate protection category.
Working on alternative drive solutions, Liebherr are taking a technology-neutral approach with hydrogen combustion engines being just one of the technologies the Group is exploring.
In terms of power, dynamics and responsiveness, the R 9XX H2 hydrogen excavator is said to give nothing away to a conventionally powered machine, nor is it dependent upon a continuous energy supply.
It is the emissions which make the difference: on a ‘tank-to-track’ basis, ie when used on a construction site, a hydrogen excavator emits almost no CO2, whilst from ‘cradle-to-grave’, ie from production to decommissioning, CO2 emissions are 70% lower than those of a comparable conventionally powered excavator.
Suitable for use under extreme temperatures, shock, and high-dust conditions on construction sites, Liebherr say the 50 tonne-operating weight R 9XX H2 may in future offer a robust solution for earthworks and quarrying applications.
The R 9XX H2 is powered by a six-cylinder Liebherr H966 hydrogen combustion engine which uses port fuel injection (PFI) along with direct injection (DI). Liebherr’s components product segment plans to start series production of hydrogen motors by 2025.
