Andy Green, a 64-year-old retired Royal Air Force pilot and the first person to break the sound barrier in a car, achieved another milestone by setting a world speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Driving a 32-foot car engineered by British construction equipment manufacturer JCB, Green reached 406.320 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah. The vehicle was powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines adapted from JCB’s heavy machinery equipment, which combined to produce 1,600 horsepower. The record was officially recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the international governing body of motor sports.
Green’s achievement substantially exceeded the previous hydrogen combustion speed record of 185.5 mph and surpassed his own 2006 diesel-powered vehicle record of 350.092 mph set at the same location. The run took place on a 10-mile straightaway, with Green utilizing the unique properties of the Bonneville Salt Flats, a prehistoric lake bed known for its low-friction surface and optimal conditions for speed records. The 64-year-old described the experience as challenging due to interior temperatures exceeding 122 degrees Fahrenheit, though he had spent four months preparing physically for the demanding conditions.
This record comes decades after Green’s most famous achievement: driving the jet-powered Thrust SSC to 763.035 mph in 1997, breaking the sound barrier and setting the overall land-speed record that remains unmatched. Green has since become an advocate for hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative and described it as the “fuel of the future.” JCB engineers view the achievement as a demonstration of hydrogen’s potential in decarbonizing heavy industries, with company leadership arguing it can better meet the demands of such sectors compared to electric power alternatives.
Experts note that while major automakers have developed hydrogen internal combustion engines and fuel cell technology, widespread adoption faces barriers. Cost remains a significant obstacle, as hydrogen production from conventional sources remains expensive relative to gas and diesel fuels. Researchers are exploring alternative approaches, including extracting hydrogen from natural deposits rather than separating it from water, a development that could substantially reduce production costs and accelerate deployment in commercial applications.
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