Hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax races to 406 mph and sets new land speed ‘record’

JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax streamliner has reached 406.320 mph (653.2 km/h) at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats, setting a provisional world land speed record for a hydrogen internal combustion vehicle. The run took place on August 11, with Wing Commander Andy Green OBE behind the wheel. The record still needs formal ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The 32-foot British-built car made two runs in opposite directions within one hour, following FIA requirements for a flying kilometer record. It recorded 400.623 mph on the first pass and 412.135 mph on the return. Those figures produced a two-way average of 406.320 mph. A new benchmark for hydrogen combustion Hydromax’s result more than doubles the previous FIA-recognized hydrogen internal combustion record. That mark was 185.5 mph, set by BMW’s H2R in 2004. The attempt falls into FIA Category A, Group XIV, Class 7 World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record. Final certification is still pending, so the 406.320 mph figure remains provisional. The car also moved beyond several major hydrogen and diesel milestones. It surpassed JCB Dieselmax’s 350.092 mph diesel record from 2006, which Green also drove at Bonneville. JCB said Hydromax produces no CO₂ at the tailpipe. Its speed also exceeded the 303 mph record previously achieved by a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Two production-based engines deliver 1,600 hp JCB built Hydromax around two hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines derived from its production “digger” engines. Together, they produce 1,600 horsepower. The engines are manufactured at JCB’s facility in Foston, Derbyshire, England. The company says the power units are fundamentally the same hydrogen combustion engines being developed for its construction equipment. The program forms part of JCB’s £100 million hydrogen development effort. The approach gives the streamliner a direct connection to technology intended for working machines. Rather than using fuel cells to convert hydrogen into electricity, Hydromax burns hydrogen inside modified combustion engines. Green returns to Bonneville JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford said the attempt builds on the company’s Dieselmax achievement at Bonneville two decades ago. “Twenty years ago we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power. Today we have done it again—this time with engines powered by hydrogen,” Bamford said. Green, who holds the outright land speed record at 763.035 mph and is the only person to break the sound barrier on land, described the project as a privilege. “Bonneville is the spiritual home of the world land speed record, and JCB Hydromax has just written itself into that history,” he said, calling the streamliner “stable, strong and fast” while praising “a world-class team and superb technology.” Speed test set the stage Hydromax had already shown its pace during a warmup appearance at the Southern California Timing Association’s Bonneville Speed Week. It recorded a 368.347 mph average in the Blown Gas Streamliner AA/BGS 500-plus cubic inch class, setting a new SCTA mark before the latest record attempt. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.A versatile writer, Sujita has worked with Mashable Middle East and News Daily 24. When she isn't writing, you can find her glued to the latest web series and movies.