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Revolutionary Car Breaks Historic World Speed Record Amazingly Fast
Highlights
- JCB’s Hydromax sets hydrogen land speed record at 406.320 mph
- Wing Commander Andy Green piloted Hydromax on 11 August
- Record runs required opposite directions; average speed established record
- Hydromax uses two 4.8-litre hydrogen engines producing 1,600 bhp
- Record more than doubles previous hydrogen vehicle speed records
- FIA president praised innovation linking performance and sustainability
JCB set a new hydrogen land speed benchmark as its Hydromax recorded 406.320 mph on 11 August at Bonneville. The run advances hydrogen combustion’s credibility in extreme performance applications.
Wing Commander Andy Green OBE drove the 32‑foot streamliner. He logged 400.623 mph one way, then 412.135 mph returning. The average established the headline figure under FIA protocols.
Power came from twin 4.8‑litre hydrogen combustion engines producing about 1,600 bhp. The units share core architecture with JCB diggers and emit zero CO₂ at the tailpipe.
Per FIA rules, runs must be completed in opposite directions within one hour, with the average recorded. The figure eclipses BMW’s 185.5 mph mark and exceeds 303 mph fuel‑cell efforts.
Formal FIA ratification now follows.
Hydromax averaged 406.320 mph over two opposite-direction runs to set the hydrogen land speed record.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem praised the programme, framing it as proof that innovation, outright performance, and sustainability can align without compromising competitive intent.
Green described the car as magnificent, stable, and strong. He revealed he trimmed speed through the measured mile to keep within limits, underlining the engine’s substantial headroom.
“Magnificent, stable, strong and fast,” said Andy Green after the record runs.
This result builds on JCB’s Dieselmax success at Bonneville in 2006, when Green set the diesel land speed record at 350.092 mph, a mark that still stands.
Chairman Lord Bamford emphasised the production basis of the engines now used in industrial equipment, arguing the record demonstrates hydrogen’s practicality as a current, deployable solution.
Momentum grew during Bonneville Speed Week, where Hydromax set an SCTA Blown Gas Streamliner class record at 368.347 mph ahead of the FIA‑observed attempts.
Twin 4.8‑litre hydrogen engines deliver about 1,600 bhp while producing zero CO₂ at the tailpipe.
Hydrogen’s surge mirrors wider performance interest, seen in drag coverage like the Quick 32 Series in Toronto, PDRA Thunder Valley, the 2026 PDRA Throwdown, and Justin Lamb’s Sonoma win.
JCB’s £100 million hydrogen programme ties its industrial engines to elite speed testing, offering actionable data for future mobility while broadening the options alongside electrification and fuel cells.
Visual Summary
406.320 mph
The new Hydrogen Land Speed Record
JCB Hydromax rockets beyond all hydrogen speed marks
with zero CO₂ at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
with zero CO₂ at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
2004
2024
Previous record: 185.5 mph
Hydromax thunders past with 2× the speed!
Hydromax thunders past with 2× the speed!
🔋 2x 4.8L Hydrogen IC Engines
1,600 bhp
1,600 bhp
👨✈️ Andy Green (World’s fastest man)
🌎 Zero CO₂ Tailpipe Emissions
Future-proof speed
Future-proof speed
FIA certified
Sustainable
Innovation
Innovation
“Innovation, performance and responsibility can align”
– FIA President
– FIA President
Bonneville Salt Flats · August 2024
JCB proves hydrogen speed is here—record now pending FIA ratification.
JCB proves hydrogen speed is here—record now pending FIA ratification.
Zane Muniz writes across NASCAR, IndyCar, F1, IMSA, NHRA, and dirt-racing news. His breaking-news alerts and event previews ensure motorsport fans never miss a lap, drift, or drag-strip showdown.
