JCB’s hydrogen-powered car hits 368mph on Bonneville Salt Flats

Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, the car set a new record in the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) Blown Gas Streamliner (AA/BGS, 500+ cubic inches) class during Bonneville Speed Week.

The 32ft-long (9.8m), twin-engined Hydromax averaged the speed over two runs, surpassing the previous SCTA record of 348.342 mph set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010.

The JCB team is now focussing on next week’s outright Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) world record bid.

The Hydromax is powered by engines that are based on its production hydrogen internal combustion engine. The engines produce a combined 1,600hp.

Hydromax has completed 44 runs so far and JCB hopes that it will be able to surpass the FIA record set by its diesel-powered Dieselmax back in 2006, which stands at 350.092mph.

The record attempt is garnering significant publicity for JCB as it prepares to open a new $500 million, one-million-square-foot factory in San Antionio, Texas, which will manufacture machines for the US market.

JCB Chairman Lord Bamford said, “To reach 368.347mph is a fantastic achievement for the whole JCB Hydromax team. It shows just what JCB’s hydrogen engines are capable of ahead of our outright FIA world record attempt. This project is about proving that hydrogen power can perform at the very highest level with zero emissions, and today’s result is powerful evidence of that.”

JCB Hydromax project leader Ryan Ballard said, “We are immensely grateful to the Southern California Timing Association for the professionalism, expertise and enthusiasm with which they organise this unique event. The SCTA’s commitment to land speed racing has created a platform where innovation can thrive and records can be challenged. It has been a privilege for JCB to compete here, and we’d like to thank everyone involved for making us feel so welcome as we strive towards even greater achievements on the Salt Flats.”