JCB Targets Hydrogen Land Speed Record at Bonneville Salt Flats

FIA has confirmed it will officially oversee a new hydrogen-powered land speed record attempt by JCB at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The British manufacturer has developed a new vehicle called JCB Hydromax, which will attempt to set a new benchmark for hydrogen-powered internal combustion technology.

JCB Returns to Bonneville After 20 Years

The project marks JCB’s return to Bonneville nearly 20 years after the Dieselmax project, where the company set the FIA diesel land speed record in 2006 at 350.092 mph (563 kph).

Andy Green Returns as Driver

JCB has once again chosen Andy Green to drive the car.

Green remains the fastest man on earth and is still the only person ever to break the sound barrier on land after reaching 763 mph (1227 kph) in the legendary Thrust SSC back in 1997.

This time, he will pilot the 32-foot-long Hydromax across the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Powered by Hydrogen Combustion Engines

The 32-foot Hydromax will use two production-based JCB hydrogen combustion engines, producing a combined 1,600 hp.

The project is part of JCB’s wider hydrogen programme, which the company says has involved:

• Five years of development
• £100 million investment

focused on hydrogen internal combustion technology.

Testing Begins Before Bonneville SpeedWeek

JCB says the vehicle will first undergo testing in the UK before heading to Bonneville SpeedWeek, one of the world’s most famous land speed racing events.

The company will then attempt officially recognised FIA world records under FIA regulations.

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Final Take

The JCB Hydromax project is not just about chasing another speed record. JCB clearly wants to prove that hydrogen combustion engines can still deliver serious performance while offering a cleaner alternative for the future,  and Bonneville remains the perfect place to make that statement.