A new land speed record was achieved today in Utah by British driver Andy Green, hitting a remarkable speed of 406.320 mph in a JCB Hydromax vehicle specifically created for this purpose.
This vibrant yellow car is equipped with two hydrogen internal combustion engines, which Green refers to as “the fuel of the future.” The record was set at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
In doing so, Green comfortably surpassed the previous class record for hydrogen engines, which was set at 185 mph.
Green, a former Royal Air Force fighter pilot, is notable for being the only individual to have broken the sound barrier on land. He accomplished this feat in 1997, when his twin jet engine car reached a staggering 1,263 mph.
JCB, established in 1945, is predominantly recognized for its heavy machinery but has also been making notable investments in hydrogen technology. Sir Anthony Bamford, the chairman, has poured over $132 million into the development of hydrogen-burning engines over the last five years. These engines present a cleaner alternative to traditional diesel engines, emitting only water rather than carbon dioxide.
While hydrogen fuel cells have found some applications in vehicles, JCB’s research suggests that this technology is currently too intricate and costly for heavy machinery. As a result, the company is concentrating on enhancing internal combustion engines for better integration into future models.
Bamford, who is currently in Utah for the speed test, expressed enthusiasm for the achievement but emphasized the broader implications of the technology. He mentioned, “Anything can be a hydrogen engine.”
The company aims to utilize this technology promptly, with the intent to upgrade most of its vehicles with hydrogen engines in the near future.
“We’re experienced in building engines,” said Bamford. The company manufactures about 400 engines daily, with a global operational count surpassing one million.
Since the initiation of this project, JCB progressed rapidly from a prototype established in December 2020 to an approval phase for producing hydrogen-burning engines within their equipment.
This is not JCB’s first endeavor in this realm. Back in 2006, they introduced their diesel engine through the Dieselmax speed test, where Green drove a streamlined vehicle that set the record for the fastest diesel car at 350 mph—a record that remains unbroken.
“This is part of our history,” Bamford remarked. “We’ve done it before.” He elaborated that the objective is to demonstrate that products considered ordinary can actually lead the charge in innovation.
As JCB expands its presence in the U.S., they are constructing a new factory in San Antonio, Texas, which costs $500 million and spans one million square feet. Initially intended to be 500,000 square feet, the factory size was doubled due to new import tariffs, aimed at increasing production of American-made equipment. This facility is projected to create around 1,500 jobs.
The ongoing initiatives in Texas and the hydrogen program reflect a commitment to producing more “Made in America” machinery while gearing up for the next wave of engine technology.
Bamford believes JCB is uniquely positioned for this challenge, asserting, “We sell 140,000 machines annually, nearly all powered by diesel. In the future, a hydrogen engine will drive them.”
