Will JCB Set a New Hydrogen Land Speed Record?

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced that it will officiate a new hydrogen land speed record attempt led by JCB on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The British manufacturer will target a new benchmark using hydrogen internal combustion engine technology in the newly developed JCB Hydromax vehicle.

His Excellency Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, says: “This world record attempt represents the pinnacle of human achievement on land and has the potential to redefine what is possible in motorsport and automotive technology.”

Hydrogen land speed record

The project will see JCB return to Bonneville 20 years after its Dieselmax car, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, set the FIA world diesel land speed record of 350.092mph in August 2006.

Andy is the only person to have broken the sound barrier on land and he will once again drive for JCB, this time at the wheel of the 32-foot JCB Hydromax.

The vehicle will be powered by two production-based JCB hydrogen combustion engines, producing a combined 1,600 bhp. 

The project forms part of JCB’s wider hydrogen programme, developed over five years through a £100m (US$133.7m)  investment in hydrogen internal combustion engine technology.

What is a hydrogen internal combustion engine?

Hydrogen combustion vehicles operate through a process where hydrogen gas is injected into the engine's combustion chamber and ignited, similar to how gasoline ignites in traditional combustion engines. 

Hydrogen combines with oxygen from the air, generating energy to power the vehicle and emitting only water vapour as a byproduct.

JCB describes hydrogen internal combustion engines as hydrogen engines which produce the same torque, power and efficiency as their diesel counterpart, resulting in machines which provide the same levels of performance, with none of the CO₂.

Hydrogen combustion is less efficient than hydrogen fuel cells, which produce electricity. Combustion reaches between 20 to 30% efficiency while fuel cells can achieve 40 to 60% efficiency.

Boosting interest in hydrogen as fuel and supporting the development of infrastructure could also help to grow interest in EVs powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

JCB’s involvement in hydrogen

JCB Chairman Lord Anthony Bamford says: “Britain has a proud heritage of setting speed records and, as a British company, I’m excited to challenge for a new one using hydrogen. 

“This is not just about speed, it’s about showcasing the world-class engineering talent we have here in the UK and the robustness of our new hydrogen engines.

“JCB Dieselmax was always a bit of an outrageous idea, but it proved a point. Putting an advanced engine into a land-speed car showed the world what it could do in a way a digger never could. 

“It’s the same thinking with hydrogen today. If you’re serious about emissions, you have to be serious about hydrogen and a land-speed project is the perfect way to prove it.”

A historic moment

Testing will begin in the UK before the team travels to Bonneville SpeedWeek, the world’s leading land speed racing event, where competitors from around the world gather to pursue speed records on the Salt Flats.

The team will then remain at Bonneville to pursue officially recognised world records under FIA regulations.

His Excellency Mohammed Ben Sulayem says: “This is a historic moment for speed, technology and innovation. JCB’s return to the Bonneville Salt Flats for the hydrogen-powered land speed record attempt is a defining chapter. 

“It is an effort that pushes the boundaries of aerodynamics, engineering excellence and human bravery, while showcasing what is possible when ambition and innovation come together.

“From Bluebird to ThrustSSC and the new JCB Hydromax, the FIA has a proud history of certifying these historic moments. 

“These vehicles inspire the innovators, scientists and engineers of tomorrow. This hydrogen-powered vehicle will not just attempt to break a world record, but it will shape the future of high-speed sustainable motoring altogether.”