Andy Green sets hydrogen land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats

The retired RAF pilot drove the JCB Hydromax to reach an average speed of 406.320 mph.

Talivio News · Global 12 August 2026, 13:30 2 min read

Wing Commander Andy Green, a retired Royal Air Force pilot, has set a new FIA world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, US. Driving the JCB Hydromax, Green achieved an average speed of 406.320 mph (653.909 km/h) during the record-breaking run.

The performance surpassed the previous hydrogen internal combustion land speed record of 185.5 mph (298.5 km/h). The vehicle's runs included a speed of 400.623 mph (644.740 km/h) in its first attempt and 412.135 mph (663.267 km/h) in its second.

The JCB Hydromax is a 32-foot (9.75-meter) vehicle developed by the British construction equipment manufacturer JCB. It is powered by two hydrogen-fueled, turbocharged internal combustion engines that mix pressurized hydrogen gas with air to produce a combined 1,600 horsepower.

406.320 mph

Average speed of the JCB Hydromax during its record run

Technological demonstration

JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford stated that the Hydromax shows that hydrogen works at the highest level with zero emissions. He noted that the project demonstrates what British engineering can achieve with hydrogen power, following the company's previous diesel-powered speed record efforts 20 years ago.

Today we have done it again - this time with engines powered by hydrogen

— JCB Chair Anthony Bamford

The company has invested more than $134 million into hydrogen-powered engines, with some reports citing an investment of 100 million pounds. JCB has also signed a deal to purchase green hydrogen produced through renewable energy.

The car was terrific – stable, strong and fast.

— Wing Commander Andy Green

The record attempt took place at the Bonneville Salt Flats, located approximately 100 miles (160 km) west of Salt Lake City, Utah, US. The salt flats sit atop an aquifer that assists in cooling car tires.

Driver Profile

Andy Green is the first and only person to break the sound barrier in a car on land, having set a record of 763.035 mph (1,227.98 km/h) in the jet-powered ThrustSSC in 1997 in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. Green previously set a diesel-powered land speed record of 350.092 mph (563.4 km/h) at the Bonneville Salt Flats 20 years ago.

It’s magic to be able to showcase this technology

— Andy Green

Reflecting on the attempt, Green described the record as a huge achievement by a world-class team and superb technology.

Updates

Update — 12 August, 16:41

During the record attempt, cockpit temperatures regularly exceeded 122°F (50°C), prompting Green to train for four months using gym workouts and hot baths to acclimate; he also noted the Bonneville Salt Flats appeared snow-like and unusually slippery, with track markings creating an illusion of narrowing at high speeds, and confirmed the course’s 10-mile straightaway and 105-foot width — while recalling, 'The world passes by you very fast.'

Update — 12 August, 17:20

During the record attempt, cockpit temperatures regularly exceeded 122°F (50°C), prompting Green to train for four months using gym workouts and hot baths; he also noted the Bonneville Salt Flats appeared snow-like and unusually slippery, with track markings creating an optical illusion of narrowing at high speed — a phenomenon he described as, 'The world passes by you very fast.' The course's 10-mile straightaway is 105 feet wide, and prior testing at RAF Wittering reached 208 mph.

Update — 12 August, 17:48

The JCB Hydromax’s record run, overseen by the FIA and subject to ratification, exceeded the previous 303 mph hydrogen fuel cell mark, with the vehicle’s twin-transmission system routing power to all four wheels, titanium turbochargers spinning beyond 150,000 rpm, and pistons requiring a liter of cooling oil per second to manage extreme heat — a feat Andy Green said was made possible by four months of heat acclimatization training, including gym workouts and hot baths, while the track’s 10-mile straightaway and 105-foot width created an optical illusion of narrowing at high speed.

Sources 14

Andy Green sets hydrogen land speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats

Technological demonstration

Driver Profile

Updates

Sources 14

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