A landmark event was recently held at an Austrian quarry to mark the first test of a large hydrogen-powered wheel loader.

An audience included the country’s minister for climate action and Jan Liebherr, chairman of the board at Liebherr-International AG. 

The event featured technical presentations, a tour of the quarry, and a live demonstration of the hydrogen-powered Liebherr L 566 H wheel loader in operation. 

The L 566 H prototype will be tested daily at the quarry for the next two years, with a dedicated hydrogen refueling station being constructed there. 

Government minister, Leonore Gewessler praised the collaboration between Liebherr and quarry owner, Strabag. 

“Innovative companies like Liebherr and Strabag are paving the way forward with pilot projects in sectors that are difficult to electrify,” he said. 

Strabag as a big European construction company is well placed to be the first to test Liebherr’s prototype, which is the first large, hydrogen-powered wheel loader. 

The machine is expected to save up to 100 tonnes of CO2 annually going into the atmosphere, equivalent to 37,500 litres of diesel. 

“To reach our goal of climate neutrality by 2040, we must focus on reducing CO2 emissions in all aspects of our operations, including construction machinery,” said Strabag CEO Klemens Haselsteiner.

The L 566 H’s hydrogen engine, manufactured by Liebherr’s components division in Switzerland, represents a major technological advancement. 

According to Herbert Pfab, technical director of Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen, “This technology enables the operation of large vehicles that traditionally have high energy demands without CO2 emissions, while also ensuring excellent efficiency and minimal nitrogen oxide emissions.”

Climate-neutral hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources such as wind, water, and solar power, will be a critical enabler for achieving Austria’s climate neutrality goals. 

“Green hydrogen is an essential element of our future energy system, helping to replace fossil fuels in industries like construction,” said Gewessler.