HyConstruct Pushes Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Systems for UK’s Off-Highway Decarbonisation

That’s the ambition behind HyConstruct, a collaborative UK project targeting CO₂ reductions from heavy-duty off-highway machinery operating on active construction sites. The initiative was launched by ULEMCo, a Liverpool-based company specialising in hydrogen engine technology, in partnership with GeoPura, Plantforce, BAM, and BRE.

The project, supported by funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) via the ARMD4 program, aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the UK construction sector by developing and demonstrating an advanced engine control system that significantly increases hydrogen utilisation in dual-fuel machinery. By raising the hydrogen substitution rate in heavy-duty equipment, the system will improve the efficiency of ULEMCo’s hydrogen-diesel technology, reduce on-site diesel use, and cut CO₂ emissions. This advancement also aims to strengthen the commercial case for low-carbon investment in construction.

HyConstruct builds on the outcomes of Element1, a DESNZ-funded project that proved hydrogen dual-fuel to be a viable transitional solution toward fully hydrogen-powered construction equipment. Element1 demonstrated high diesel displacement rates with significant CO₂ savings, validating the full hydrogen supply chain on-site.

Over the next year, HyConstruct will apply advanced control algorithms and AI to optimise dual-fuel engine systems, enabling machines to operate with a higher proportion of hydrogen. This will support greater fuel substitution, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen the business case for wider deployment of hydrogen-powered plant, with running costs increasingly competitive with diesel.

The advanced control system will be tested on a live construction site operated by BAM, one of the project partners. Validation will include the upgrade of Kobelco excavators previously retrofitted under Element1, now equipped with the new control system. For the first time, a heavy-duty articulated dumper truck (ADT) — supplied by Plantforce — will also be included in the trial, marking a key step in addressing the decarbonisation of machinery that has traditionally been hard to transition away from diesel.

 “HyConstruct is a significant next step in developing technology that demonstrates that zero-carbon fuels can power heavy machinery without disrupting productivity”

Said Alistair Gemmel, Chief Business Development Officer at GeoPura.

“By supplying and managing the hydrogen used on site, we’re helping the consortium prove how hydrogen can be safely and efficiently integrated into construction operations, which will ultimately bring the construction sector closer to being both commercially and environmentally sustainable.”

As an APC ARMD project, the upgraded hydrogen-enabled machines are expected to be available for display at the CENEX Expo in 2026, showcasing the UK’s improvements in sustainable off-highway transport solutions.

HyConstruct Pushes Dual-Fuel Hydrogen Systems for UK’s Off-Highway Decarbonisation published on The HeavyQuip Magazine.