JCB Sets Stunning Hydrogen World Land Speed Record In Utah With Hydromax Machine

A new hydrogen land speed record was set by the JCB Hydromax at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

JCB

British engineering titan JCB has set a new world land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, United States.

The Hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax, which was launched earlier in 2026 in front of guests including Grand Prix on SI, recorded an average speed of 400.623mph on its first run at the salt flats, before following up with a run of 412.135mph on its second run - the average of 406.320mph the fastest a hydrogen-combustion car has ever traveled.

Wing Commander Andy Green piloted the 32-foot, twin-engined car for both runs to meet the FIA's rules around land speed records and smashed the previous record for an internal combustion hydrogen car set by the BMW H2R in 2004, which set a benchmark of 185.5mph.

JCB Hydromax, Bonneville Salt Flats | JCB

The FIA still needs to officially ratify the run by the JCB Hydromax before the record is confirmed.

The JCB Hydromax also surpassed the speed set by the organization's Dieselmax machine that set a Diesel land speed record at the same salt flats in 2006 - that was a mark of 350.092mph and a diesel record that is still held, with Green also driving on that occasion.

Hydromax has also beaten the 303 mph mark set by a hydrogen fuel cell, becoming the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle of any kind in history.

JCB chairman Lord Anthony Bamford said: “Twenty years ago we came to Bonneville with JCB Dieselmax and showed what British engineering could do with diesel power. Today we have done it again — this time with engines powered by hydrogen.

"This record was set by production-based engines, the same engines powering JCB diggers right now. That is the point of JCB Hydromax: it shows hydrogen works, and it works today at the highest level with zero emissions.”

Warning: high speeds only. JCB Hydromax is ready to take on a world land speed record. pic.twitter.com/nd6UXcbDJQ

— JCB (@JCBmachines) August 9, 2026

Green added: “Bonneville is the spiritual home of the world land speed record, and JCB Hydromax has just written itself into that history. The car was terrific — stable, strong and fast. Setting a world land speed record with hydrogen power, twenty years after Dieselmax, is a huge privilege. This record is a huge achievement by a world-class team and superb technology.”

The Category A Group XIV - Class 7 FIA World Flying Record Start Land Speed Record was set with two JCB hydrogen digger engines that produce a combined 1600 bhp, built in-house in the United Kingdom. The engines power JCB's equipment on construction sites around the world as part of a £100 million [$1.35 million]

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem commented: “This is a truly historic milestone for motorsport, showcasing how innovation, performance, speed, and sustainability can go hand in hand.

“Motorsport has always been a catalyst for technological progress pushing the boundaries of what is possible. This new land speed record continues this tradition, showcasing the potential of hydrogen combustion for the future of sustainable mobility.

“For over 100 years, the FIA has proudly played a central role officiating land speed record attempts. I would like to thank our Member Club, the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States, for their support during this record attempt and offer my congratulations to Lord Bamford, Andy Green OBE, and to everyone involved in this remarkable achievement.”