JCB took its hydrogen engine technology from the construction site to the Bonneville Salt Flats on Aug. 11, 2026, where its Hydromax race car reached an average speed of 406.32 mph to set a new world land-speed record for a hydrogen-powered internal-combustion vehicle.
Driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, Hydromax recorded 400.623 mph on its first run and 412.135 mph on its second. The two runs were made in opposite directions in accordance with Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) rules. The record is subject to FIA ratification.
JCB photo
The 32-ft.-long Hydromax is powered by two production-based JCB hydrogen combustion engines producing a combined 1,600 horsepower. The engines were manufactured at JCB's facility in Foston, Derbyshire, England, and are based on technology developed for the company's construction equipment.
The run surpassed the previous FIA-officiated hydrogen internal-combustion record of 185.5 mph, set by the BMW H2R in 2004. It also exceeded JCB's own 350.092-mph diesel land-speed record, established by Green behind the wheel of JCB Dieselmax at Bonneville in 2006.
“Twenty years ago, we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power,” JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford said. “Today we have done it again — this time with engines powered by hydrogen.”
“Bonneville is the spiritual home of the world land-speed record, and JCB Hydromax has just written itself into that history,” Green said. “The car was terrific — stable, strong and fast. Setting a world land-speed record with hydrogen power, 20 years after Dieselmax, is a huge privilege. This record is a huge achievement by a world-class team and superb technology.”
JCB has invested approximately $135 million in its hydrogen engine program. The company said it has produced more than 150 hydrogen combustion engines, with the first hydrogen-powered machines now entering production.
JCB photo
JCB unveiled its first hydrogen-powered construction equipment prototypes — a backhoe loader and Loadall telescopic handler — in 2021. The company is developing hydrogen combustion as an alternative power source for heavy equipment.
The hydrogen-powered machines are not currently commercially available in the United States.
The record comes as JCB prepares to open a new $500 million manufacturing facility in San Antonio, Texas. The company expects the plant to employ approximately 1,500 people and manufacture construction equipment for the U.S. market.
JCB h previously used speed-record projects to demonstrate its engineering capabilities. In addition to Dieselmax's 2006 record, a JCB Fastrac reached 135.191 mph in 2019 to become the world's fastest tractor. In 2014, the JCB GT established a 72.58 mph speed record for a backhoe loader.
For JCB, the Hydromax project is intended to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen combustion technology developed for construction equipment. When operated on hydrogen, the company said the engines produce no CO2 at the tailpipe.
The record comes ahead of the opening of JCB's new $500 million factory in San Antonio, Texas, which will employ 1,500 people manufacturing machines for the U.S. market.
