Production-based digger engines power 406mph record at Bonneville
JCB has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen internal combustion vehicle, using production-based engines related to those now being developed for its agricultural and construction machinery.
The JCB Hydromax achieved an average speed of 406.320mph across two runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on Thursday 12 August. Its first pass was recorded at 400.623mph, followed by a second run at 412.135mph, making it the fastest hydrogen combustion car ever recorded.
The 32ft twin-engined car was driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, who also drove the JCB Dieselmax to the world diesel land speed record of 350.092mph in 2006. Under FIA rules, the Hydromax completed one run in each direction within an hour. The record remains subject to official ratification by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.
For farmers, the milestone is significant because the record car was powered by two JCB hydrogen engines based on the same technology the company is putting into working machines. Built at JCB’s engine factory in Foston, Derbyshire, the engines produced a combined 1,600bhp and are part of the company’s £100 million hydrogen programme.
JCB says hydrogen combustion offers a route to lower-emission power for heavy-duty equipment where battery-electric systems may not be practical. The company has already demonstrated hydrogen-powered backhoe loaders, Loadall telescopic handlers and other off-highway equipment, with the aim of delivering machines that can be refuelled quickly and work long days in demanding conditions.
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said the record showed hydrogen engines could perform at the highest level. “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,” he said. “This record was set by production-based engines, the same engines powering JCB diggers right now.”
Andy Green described the Hydromax as “stable, strong and fast”, adding that setting a hydrogen-powered record 20 years after Dieselmax was “a huge privilege”.
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