Browse
Log in / Register
Share
March 16, 2025 – British pilot Andy Green, already famous for breaking the sound barrier on land, added another milestone to his career: a new world speed record for a hydrogen-powered car. At the wheel of the purpose-built Hyspeed H2, Green clocked an average of 207.2 mph over two runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, surpassing the previous mark of 186 mph set by the same team in 2023.
The run, conducted under the watch of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), demonstrates that hydrogen fuel cells can deliver top-tier performance without the carbon emissions of traditional gasoline or the weight penalties of heavy battery packs. “This is not just a number,” Green told reporters after the record was certified. “It’s proof that hydrogen can be a legitimate, high-performance alternative to both fossil fuels and batteries.”
Green, a retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot, is no stranger to record-breaking. In 1997, he drove the Thrust SSC to 763 mph, becoming the first person to travel faster than sound on land. His latest project, the Hyspeed H2, was developed in collaboration with the UK-based Hydrogen Propulsion Laboratory and supported by a grant from the European Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
The vehicle uses a bespoke hydrogen fuel cell stack that generates electricity to drive four electric motors, one per wheel. The fuel cell is fed by a cryogenic liquid hydrogen tank, allowing the car to sustain high power output for the two-mile acceleration zone. Unlike battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the Hyspeed H2 can be refueled in under five minutes, a key advantage for endurance racing and heavy-duty transport.
While battery electric vehicles dominate the consumer market, hydrogen has struggled to gain traction due to high production costs and limited refueling infrastructure. However, recent developments in green hydrogen – produced using renewable energy – are changing the calculus. According to a 2024 report from the International Energy Agency, global hydrogen demand could reach 150 million tonnes by 2030, with the transport sector accounting for a significant share.
“Andy’s record sends a powerful signal to the automotive industry,” said Dr. Elena Torres, a hydrogen fuel cell researcher at the University of Oxford, who was not involved in the project. “It shows that hydrogen can excel in high-performance applications, which is often where new technologies prove their commercial viability.”
The record also comes at a time when several automakers, including Toyota, Hyundai, and BMW, are renewing their hydrogen passenger car programs. Toyota recently announced a next-generation Mirai with a range of over 500 miles, while Hyundai is testing hydrogen fuel cell trucks in California.
The Hyspeed H2 is a lightweight tube-frame chassis wrapped in a carbon fiber body. It weighs just 1,100 kg (2,425 lbs), including the fuel cell and hydrogen tank. The car produces a peak output of 450 kW (603 hp), comparable to a high-performance electric sedan. However, the real challenge was thermal management – fuel cells generate significant heat, and the Bonneville salt flats can reach 100°F (38°C) in summer.
“We had to design a cooling system that could handle full-power operation for over 10 seconds,” explained lead engineer Sarah Chen. “The liquid hydrogen itself is at -253°C, so we used that to help cool the stack. It’s a delicate balance.”
The team also had to deal with the salt crust, which is notoriously slippery and can cause traction loss. Green’s piloting skills, honed over decades of high-speed runs, were critical. “The car felt stable, but you have to be precise – any steering input at 200 mph is magnified,” he said.
Green has hinted that the 207 mph mark is not the end. The team already has plans to push beyond 250 mph in the next year, potentially using a hybrid fuel cell + supercapacitor setup. Meanwhile, the lessons learned from the Hyspeed H2 are being applied to commercial projects, including a hydrogen-powered delivery van being developed for a UK logistics company.
“Records are about showing what’s possible,” Green said. “But the real goal is to make hydrogen practical for everyday use. If we can do that, then the planet wins.”
