Address
Blyth, Northumberland
U.K. NE24 2QW
Telephone
+44(0)1670 336766
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 08:00 - 17:30
The vision
This is our current concept for a zero‑emission hydrogen fuel‑cell hybrid telehandler – a first‑pass architecture that shows how we plan to bring diesel‑beating performance and dramatically lower running costs together.
Rugged Steel Foundations
A heavy‑duty chassis and boom structure built from up to 40mm thick S355‑grade British structural steel, giving serious stiffness and impact resistance where it counts. Every major steel component is shot‑blasted, primed and powder‑coated with an industrial corrosion‑protection system to deliver long‑term resistance to rust, chips and weather in harsh site conditions.
Hydrogen power, diesel days
A PEM fuel cell fed by onboard hydrogen storage, sized with a healthy surplus of power to deliver around two and a half days of typical telehandler operation between refuels. We’ve deliberately oversized the system so the stack can live in its optimal operating zone, reducing stress, improving longevity and still giving you plenty of overhead when you really lean on the machine. Zero tailpipe emissions, familiar shift lengths and fast refuelling keep your fleet working without changing how you plan the job.
Smart energy storage
A high‑capacity Li‑ion battery provides at least an hour of full operation with the fuel cell off for instant starts, quiet low‑load running and resilient backup power. It’s paired with an ultra‑capacitor pack that catches brutal power spikes and regenerative energy, protecting the battery and smoothing demand on the fuel cell, while our control system continuously optimises how the fuel cell, battery and capacitors work together in all conditions. The system can also act as a site power take‑off, giving you convenient “mains‑style” electrical power around the job so you can plug in tools, chargers or temporary loads without hunting for a socket – no need to lug a separate generator around.
Electric e‑axle drivetrain
Two‑speed electric axles (low and high) with 4‑wheel drive, 4‑wheel steering, diff locks and traction control put power down exactly where you need it. An e‑axle integrates the electric motor, reduction gearbox and differential into a compact drive unit at each axle, cutting mechanical complexity and delivering precise, instantly controllable torque to every wheel. Pair this with specialised airless telehandler tyres that eliminate punctures and foam‑fill issues while giving outstanding lateral stability, shock absorption and ride comfort under heavy, extended loads.
Lifecycle‑first design
Rejecting “design for the assembly line only” in favour of a common‑sense, lifecycle‑first approach that works for you, the operators, the technicians and the fleet owners. Simple, intuitive controls with levers, switches, dials and gauges keep core functions tactile and dependable, with smart displays used where they add value, not to bury everything in menus that can brick a machine. Panels use tough, repairable materials with retained fixings and clear access so you don’t spend half a day stripping half the machine to reach a service point or repair a harness – it’s built to be opened up, fixed and put straight back to work.
All‑electric actuation
No central, messy hydraulic system: lift, telescope and attachment functions are driven by electric linear actuators for safe, precise and repeatable control, with no hydraulic oil, hoses or leaks to worry about. This makes the machine cleaner, easier to maintain and more reliable over time – fewer moving parts, simpler diagnostics and straightforward repairs. Electro‑hydraulic actuators handle stabiliser sway and steering where fluid power still makes sense, delivering ultra‑fine, accurate control when working at height, and feeding back exactly what the load weighs and where the boom is so the machine always knows its limits.
Where we are now
We’re at the concept and design stage for our first Zeromachine telehandler: locking down the core architecture, confirming key components and partners, and planning our prototype build and test programme. This is the moment to influence what the machine becomes.
Designing the concept machine
Defining the structure, powertrain, energy storage, driveline and control systems that will make diesel‑level performance possible with zero tailpipe emissions.
Talking to operators and partners
Working with constructors, contractors, farmers, plant hire fleets and technical suppliers who want to help shape, trial and prove the first machines in the real world.
Preparing for prototypes, trials – and investment
Planning our prototype build, test and trial programme, and speaking with strategic investors who share our ambition to build zero‑emission construction machinery in the North East of England.
What we need next
We do things a little differently at Zeromachine – we’re actively looking for your input. We need plant hire fleet operators, machine operators, technicians, engineers, constructors, contractors, farmers and investors who want to help shape and prove the first Zeromachine telehandlers in the field – on real sites and farms, not just in a lab. If you’ve ever thought “I wish we had …”, this is a rare clean‑sheet design opportunity to turn that into reality on a next‑generation zero‑emission telehandler – and if that sounds like you, we’d love to talk.