JCB Hydromax sets new hydrogen speed record

The JCB Hydromax streamliner has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle. It achieved an average speed of 406.320 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, US. This feat was accomplished during two runs, with speeds of 400.623 mph and 412.135 mph, demonstrating hydrogen combustion technology.Wing Commander Andy Green, a renowned figure in land speed records, drove the JCB Hydromax. Green also holds the outright world land speed record of 763.035 mph (ThrustSSC, 1997), making him the only person to break the sound barrier on land. He previously set the diesel land speed record of 350.092 mph (JCB Dieselmax, 2006) at Bonneville.This achievement by JCB significantly surpasses previous benchmarks for hydrogen-powered vehicles. It beat the prior hydrogen combustion record of 185.5 mph (BMW H2R, 2004) and exceeded the 303 mph record for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, making the Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered car of any kind. The record is pending official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the global governing body for motorsport.The Hydromax is powered by two production-based turbocharged digger engines, each tuned to produce 800 horsepower, totaling 1600 horsepower. This achievement underscores JCB's commitment to advancing zero-emission technology, showcasing the potential of hydrogen internal combustion engines in high-performance applications. JCB views this record as a testament to the viability and effectiveness of hydrogen as a clean energy source for heavy industries.