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April 7, 2025 – A British construction equipment maker has shattered the speed barrier for hydrogen-powered vehicles, reaching 650 kph (404 mph) on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The feat, accomplished by JCB, marks a major step forward in internal combustion engine technology running on hydrogen, producing only water as exhaust.
The record-breaking machine, dubbed the “JCB Hydrogen Racer,” is powered by two modified JCB production engines. Each 4.8-liter, four-cylinder unit burns hydrogen directly, not using fuel cells. The engines deliver 800 hp each, thanks to a titanium turbocharger spinning at over 150,000 rpm, a NACA-style air intake, and a revised ignition system. The combined output of 1,600 hp propels the car to the record speed using a six-speed sequential Xtrac gearbox paired with a clutch originally designed for a JCB backhoe loader — the only component strong enough to handle the torque.
The cooling system is as innovative as the engine. Instead of conventional radiators, the car uses two ice tanks — one in the nose, one behind the driver’s canopy — holding 250 kg of ice per run. Each piston requires 1 liter of oil per second to prevent overheating, a flow rate comparable to the total oil needed for all other engine parts combined.
The driver was Andy Green, a former Royal Air Force fighter pilot who flew Phantoms and Tornados. Green is no stranger to speed. In 1997, he set the absolute land speed record of 1,228 kph in ThrustSSC, a mark that still stands. He is also the only person to have broken the sound barrier on land. For him, 650 kph was “a comfortable ride,” but the significance lies in the technology: JCB’s hydrogen combustion engine is a real-world alternative to diesel, with zero carbon emissions.
During the two runs (one in each direction) required to establish the official average speed, the car consumed just 2 kilograms of hydrogen and produced 18 liters of water as its only exhaust. This underscores the potential of hydrogen combustion for heavy-duty applications like construction and agriculture, where JCB plans to deploy the engine.
Industry experts see this as a milestone. “JCB is proving that hydrogen can be burned directly in internal combustion engines with high efficiency and power,” said Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. “This is not a lab concept; it’s a working powertrain that can be scaled.”
The JCB racer builds on the company’s earlier diesel record. In 2006, a JCB Dieselmax car hit 560 kph. Now, the hydrogen version not only beats that speed but does so with a cleaner fuel. The development aligns with global efforts to decarbonize off-road vehicles, where battery-electric solutions face range and weight limitations.
JCB’s next goal is to commercialize the hydrogen engine for its line of tractors and excavators. The company has already started production of the engine at its UK plant, with initial orders from European and US fleets.
The record run at Bonneville was witnessed by representatives from the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), which certified the speed. The official category is “World’s Fastest Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle.”
For motorsport enthusiasts, the JCB racer offers a glimpse into a future where high-speed racing can be carbon-neutral without sacrificing performance. The sound of the hydrogen engines — a sharp, high-revving note — has drawn comparisons to Formula 1, but with a much cleaner exhaust.
While Toyota and Hyundai focus on hydrogen fuel cells, JCB’s approach of burning hydrogen directly in a modified diesel engine block could be cheaper and easier to retrofit. The company claims its engine can run on green hydrogen produced from renewable energy, making the entire cycle net-zero.
The record also highlights the importance of the Bonneville Salt Flats as a proving ground for extreme speed. The site has hosted countless land speed attempts, but this one carried a unique environmental message: speed need not come at the planet’s expense.
As Green climbed out of the cockpit after the second run, he remarked, “We’ve shown that hydrogen can be fast, powerful, and clean. The next step is to make it practical for everyone.”
JCB plans to showcase the racer at tech events and airshows over the coming months, and will release detailed technical papers on the engine’s performance. The company is also in talks with racing series about creating a hydrogen combustion class.
For now, the JCB Hydrogen Racer sits at the top of the speed chart for its fuel type — a record that may inspire others to follow the same path.
