Andy Green sets new hydrogen-powered land speed record

British former RAF pilot Andy Green has established a new land speed record for hydrogen-powered internal combustion vehicles, reaching 653.908 km/h at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. The achievement was officially certified by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) after a run across a 16-kilometer course. This feat more than doubles the previous record of 298.5 km/h, which had been held by BMW since 2004.

The vehicle, dubbed the JCB Hydromax, measures 9.75 meters in length and is equipped with two JCB hydrogen internal combustion engines producing a combined 1,600 horsepower. The engine technology functions by mixing compressed hydrogen gas with air to generate power. The run took place on the renowned salt flats, which are frequently used for high-speed trials.

While this performance marks a significant milestone for hydrogen technology in motorsport, it remains well below the absolute land speed record of 1,227.985 km/h, which Green set in 1997 using a jet-powered vehicle known as the Thrust SSC. Green also holds a separate 2006 record for a diesel-powered vehicle. Following this success, Green expressed optimism regarding the potential of hydrogen engineering in competitive automotive environments.