JCB has made history by setting an FIA World Land Speed Record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle
At the Bonneville Salt Flats in the US, the JCB Hydromax has set a world land speed record of 653.9 kph (406.320 mph) with its hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax. Making it the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle ever recorded.
The car recorded the average speed 644.74 kph (400.623 mph) in its first run in the morning across the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah USA, and 663.26 kph (412.135 mph) on its second run, giving the average of 653.9 kph (406.320 mph). The fastest a hydrogen internal combustion car has ever travelled.
Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the twin engined, 9.75m (32-ft) car completed the two runs required under FIA rules – one in each direction within an hour – comfortably beating the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal combustion benchmark of 298.53 kph (185.5 mph) set by the BMW H2R in 2004.
The record is subject to official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport.
Previous JCB Hydromax record surpassed
JCB Hydromax has well and truly surpassed the 563.41 kph (350.092 mph) world diesel land speed record previously set by JCB Dieselmax — also driven by Green, on the same salt, in August 2006.
Twenty years on, JCB has beaten its own benchmark with an engine that produces no CO₂ at the tailpipe.
The speed also exceeds the 487.63 kph (303 mph) hydrogen fuel cell mark — making JCB Hydromax the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history.
The record was set in the Category A, Group XIV, Class 7 FIA World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record using two of JCB’s own production-based hydrogen digger engines, producing a combined 1177bkW (1,600 bhp) and manufactured at the company’s engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire, UK.
They are the same engines now powering JCB machines and equipment rolling off production lines in the UK as part of the company’s GBP£100 million hydrogen program.
JCB hydrogen engine record bid
JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford has led JCB’s hydrogen engine project and came up with the idea of a hydrogen world land speed record bid early in 2025.
Lord Bamford explained the journey, “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.
“This record was set by production-based engines, the same engines powering JCB diggers right now. That is the point of JCB Hydromax: it shows hydrogen works, and it works today at the highest level with zero emissions.”
Driver Andy Green added, “Bonneville is the spiritual home of the world land speed record, and JCB Hydromax has just written itself into that history. The car was terrific — stable, strong and fast.
“Setting a world land speed record with hydrogen power, twenty years after Dieselmax, is a huge privilege. This record is a huge achievement by a world class team and superb technology.”
JCB Engineering Director Ryan Ballard, who is leading the project, elaborated further, “This record belongs to the engineering team which took a hydrogen digger engine and made it the fastest of its kind on earth. This has been an amazing challenge from the outset of the it being set in February last year. We came here fully prepared, and the car delivered.”
Industry takes notice of hydrogen power
President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, outlined a broader picture, “This is a truly historic milestone for motorsport showcasing how innovation, performance, speed, and sustainability can go hand in hand.
“Motorsport has always been a catalyst for technological progress pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This new land speed record continues this tradition, showcasing the potential of hydrogen combustion for the future of sustainable mobility.
“For over 100 years, the FIA has proudly played a central role officiating land speed record attempts. I would like to thank our Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, for their support during this record attempt and offer my congratulations to Lord Bamford, Andy Green OBE, and to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement.”
Wing Commander Andy Green is the fastest driver on earth at 1227.986 kph (763.035 mph), the only person to break the sound barrier on land, and was the driver of JCB Dieselmax when it set the FIA world diesel land speed record of 563.41 kph (350.092 mph) at Bonneville in August 2006. That record still stands.
Just a week prior to the new record, the JCB Hydromax broke through the 592.79 kph (368.347 mph) barrier at the world’s leading land speed racing event.
The run was completed as part of the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) renowned Bonneville Speed Week, setting a new SCTA record in the Blown Gas Streamliner class (AA/BGS, 500+ cubic inches) of 592.79 kph (368.347 mph), a major milestone in the car’s development programme.
The record comes ahead of the opening of JCB’s $500 million factory in San Antonio Texas, that will employ 1,500 people manufacturing machines for the US market.
JCB has long pushed the limits of speed and in addition to the JCB Dieselmax success, the JCB Fastrac became the world’s fastest tractor at 217.56 kph (135.191 mph) in 2019, and in 2014 the JCB GT set the Backhoe Loader record at 116.80 kph (72.58 mph).
Watch the lead-up to the record attempt.
