JCB Hydromax Hits 592 km/h Ahead of FIA World Record Attempt

JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax has set a new land-speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching an average speed of 592.8km/h.

The record was set during the Southern California Timing Association’s Bonneville Speed Week, ahead of JCB’s attempt to set an outright FIA world record next week.

592 km/h on hydrogen

Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the Hydromax completed two runs to set the SCTA record in the Blown Gas Streamliner class.

• First run: 590 km/h
• Second run: 593 km/h
• Average speed: 592 km/h
• Previous record: 560 km/h
• Record holder: Spectre Streamliner, set in 2010

The new record is the first time in 16 years that the class record has been broken.

Two hydrogen engines

The 32-foot-long Hydromax is powered by two production-based JCB hydrogen internal combustion engines.

JCB is now increasing its combined output towards 1,600hp as it prepares for the FIA record attempt.

The team has completed 44 runs so far, using the testing programme to build speed and confidence in the streamliner gradually.

Andy Green behind the wheel

The Hydromax is being driven by Andy Green, who currently holds the outright land-speed record at 1227 km/h.

Green said the SCTA record has given the team confidence in the car and its engineering as they prepare to increase the power for next week’s attempt.

JCB’s hydrogen challenge

The project aims to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen combustion technology at extreme performance levels while producing zero tailpipe emissions.

JCB has previously set several speed records at Bonneville, including the 563 km/h diesel land-speed record with the Dieselmax streamliner in 2006.

The company also holds the world record for the fastest tractor, with the Fastrac reaching 217 km/h in 2019.

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Final Take

The 592 km/h run is more than just another speed record for JCB. It gives the company valuable data before its much bigger FIA world record attempt.

With the Hydromax now being pushed towards 1,600hp, JCB is clearly aiming to go considerably faster next week, while proving that hydrogen combustion can work at extreme speeds.