JCB Hydromax Sets New Hydrogen-Powered Land Speed Record at 653.909 km/h

In the early hours of August 12, the JCB Hydromax set a new FIA-certified land speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States. On its first run, the vehicle achieved an average speed of 400.623 mph (644.740 km/h), followed by a return run of 412.135 mph (663.267 km/h), yielding an official two-way average of 406.320 mph (653.909 km/h). This result significantly surpassed the previous hydrogen-powered vehicle record of 185.5 mph (298.5 km/h) and also broke the diesel-powered land speed record of 350.092 mph (563.418 km/h), which had been set by the JCB Dieselmax in August 2006. Both records were driven by Andy Green, a retired Royal Air Force pilot. The JCB Hydromax measures 32 feet (9.75 meters) in length and is powered by two hydrogen-fueled excavator engines derived from production models, delivering a combined output of 1,600 horsepower (1,193 kW / 1,622 PS). JCB stated that these engines are identical to those currently used in construction machinery rolling off its UK production lines.