JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax racer has set an FIA-confirmed world land speed record for a hydrogen internal-combustion car, averaging 406.320 mph (653.909 kph) over two runs at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The achievement is intended to demonstrate hydrogen combustion’s potential, particularly for heavy machinery where JCB argues batteries are less practical because of operating time and refuelling needs.

The car uses two extensively reworked production-based hydrogen engines from JCB’s Foston factory in Derbyshire, producing a combined 1,600 bhp. Retired RAF fighter pilot Wing Commander Andy Green drove the vehicle; he previously set records in ThrustSSC and JCB Dieselmax. JCB says the record run used just over 2kg of hydrogen and produced 18 litres of water, though hydrogen combustion can still generate nitrogen oxides despite producing no tailpipe carbon dioxide.