At a gravel plant in Munich, Germany, a Liebherr large wheel loader successfully completed a test operation powered by hydrogen engines, operating largely CO2-free and setting new standards for sustainable construction site logistics. The joint effort by various European manufacturers demonstrates that committed cooperation and the use of synergies can proactively drive the development of climate-friendly technologies. This milestone marks an important step towards making low-emission construction sites possible today.
For this to become common practice, a comprehensive H2 infrastructure network is needed. The deployment at the gravel plant showcases that hydrogen-powered drivetrains are in no way inferior to their diesel counterparts. The Liebherr L 566 H large wheel loader feeds rock material into plants and loads trucks, operating alongside production-ready machines from MAN and Daimler Truck.
All three machines successfully completed demanding earthmoving and material-handling tasks reliably and with low emissions. This joint operation was made possible by the Hydrogen Engine Alliance, a cross-industry interest group based in Karlsruhe, Germany. Hydrogen plays a decisive role in enabling low-emission mobility, particularly for heavy-duty machinery with high energy demands.
The L 566 H large wheel loader can be used in exactly the same way as a conventional diesel machine, requiring no special deployment planning and refueling in just 10-15 minutes. This makes it an attractive option for construction sites looking to reduce their environmental impact. Liebherr presented the prototype and a new, in-house hydrogen filling station to an expert audience for the first time in Bischofshofen, Austria, in the summer of 2024.
The wheel loader was also showcased at the world's leading trade fair, Bauma 2025, as part of several hydrogen-powered wheel loaders being tested with various contractors. This milestone marks a significant step towards making sustainable construction practices more widespread.
The successful completion of this test operation demonstrates that hydrogen-powered machinery can be a viable alternative to traditional diesel engines in heavy-duty applications. As the demand for low-emission technologies continues to grow, it's essential that manufacturers like Liebherr invest in developing and implementing these solutions.
