JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax car reaches 208mph in testing

Neil Gerrard Senior Editor, Construction Briefing

25 June 2026

Hydromax deploys its parachute at the end of a test run at RAF Wittering (Image: JCB) Hydromax deploys its parachute at the end of a test run at RAF Wittering (Image: JCB)

UK-based construction equipment manufacturer JCB has propelled its hydrogen-powered Hydromax car to 208mph (334.7kmh) in testing at RAF Wittering in England, ahead of the car being transported to the US for a land speed record attempt.

JCB has built the car using two 800hp (597kW) hydrogen combustion engines that have been adapted from its own production hydrogen digger engines.

Having started building Hydromax only weeks ago, the car will now be flown out to the Bonneville Salt Flats where Wing Commander Andy Green aims to surpass…

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