Andy Green Sets Hydrogen Speed Record — News

August 11, 2026 — Wendover, Utah, USA: British driver Andy Green set a new world land‑speed record for a hydrogen‑powered vehicle at the Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching an FIA‑verified average of 406.320 mph (653.909 kph) across two runs. Green recorded 400.623 mph on the first pass and 412.135 mph on the second, meeting FIA rules requiring opposite‑direction runs within one hour. Powered by two production‑based JCB hydrogen internal‑combustion engines producing a combined 1,600 horsepower, the 32‑foot JCB Hydromax streamliner shattered the previous hydrogen‑combustion record of 185.5 mph set by BMW’s H2R in 2004 and exceeded the 303 mph hydrogen fuel‑cell benchmark. The achievement marks Green’s return to Bonneville 20 years after his diesel record with JCB Dieselmax. Green described the Hydromax as “stable, strong and fast,” adding that setting a hydrogen record two decades later is “a privilege.” JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford said the run demonstrates that hydrogen combustion works today at the highest level with zero emissions, part of the company’s £100 million hydrogen‑engine program. FIA officials oversaw scrutineering, timing, and verification on site. (Credit Images: © Charles‑McClintock Wilson / ZUMA Press Wire | Sipa USA | NurPhoto Agency)

August 11, 2026

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot Andy Green receives an official FIA record trophy from JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford behind the cockpit of the ''JCB Hydromax'' on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The team celebrated setting a new hydrogen land speed record of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British driver Andy Green receives an official FIA land-speed record trophy from JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford on the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, on August 11, 2026, after completing high-speed test runs in the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax streamliner. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto)

British pilot Andy Green and JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford stand alongside members of the JCB engineering team behind the cockpit of the "JCB Hydromax" on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The team posed together after securing a new hydrogen land speed record of 406.320 mph. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

British pilot Andy Green and JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford raise their fists and cheer with members of the JCB engineering team behind the cockpit of the "JCB Hydromax" on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The team celebrated setting a new hydrogen land speed record of 406.320 mph. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot Andy Green, JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford, and members of the JCB engineering team throw their hats into the air behind the cockpit of the ''JCB Hydromax'' on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The team celebrated setting a new hydrogen land speed record of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot Andy Green and JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford stand with members of the JCB engineering team behind the ''JCB Hydromax'' on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The team gathered to celebrate setting a new hydrogen land speed record of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British pilot Andy Green and JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford converse with members of the JCB engineering team behind the cockpit of the "JCB Hydromax" on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The group gathered to celebrate setting a new hydrogen land speed record of 406.320 mph. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: The ''JCB Hydromax'' hydrogen-powered streamliner sits parked on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Driven by British pilot Andy Green, the vehicle achieved a record speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British pilot Andy Green speaks into a microphone during a press conference on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green steered the hydrogen-powered "JCB Hydromax" streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph during official speed trials. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

British driver Andy Green speaks during a press conference on the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, on August 11, 2026, as part of the JCB Hydromax hydrogen-powered land-speed record project. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot ANDY GREEN speaks into a microphone during a press conference at the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green piloted the hydrogen-powered ''JCB Hydromax'' streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British pilot Andy Green speaks into a microphone during a press conference on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green steered the hydrogen-powered "JCB Hydromax" streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph during official speed trials. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot ANDY GREEN speaks into a microphone during a press conference at the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green piloted the hydrogen-powered ''JCB Hydromax'' streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot ANDY GREEN speaks during a media interview on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green piloted the hydrogen-powered ''JCB Hydromax'' streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British driver Andy Green speaks during an interview on the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, on August 11, 2026, as part of the JCB Hydromax hydrogen-powered land-speed record project. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto)

British pilot Andy Green participates in a media interview on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green steered the hydrogen-powered "JCB Hydromax" streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph during official speed trials. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

The tail fin of the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax streamliner displays the slogan ''Never Content'' and British and American flags on the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, on August 11, 2026, during preparations for a land-speed record run. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: A close-up shot shows the tail fin of the hydrogen-powered ''JCB Hydromax'' streamliner on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The vehicle features the text ''NEVER CONTENT'' and flag graphics alongside racing number 522 AA/BGS, marking a historic record-breaking top speed run of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British pilot Andy Green walks and talks with a team technician on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green navigated the hydrogen-powered "JCB Hydromax" streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph during the official speed trials. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot ANDY GREEN, wearing a yellow and black JCB polo shirt, walks alongside a team technician across the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Green piloted the hydrogen-powered ''JCB Hydromax'' streamliner to a historic record-breaking top speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

British driver Andy Green walks with a JCB team member beside the hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax streamliner on the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, on August 11, 2026, during preparations for a land-speed record run. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/NurPhoto)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British pilot Andy Green and the JCB engineering team pose for a group photo behind the ''JCB Hydromax'' hydrogen-powered streamliner on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. The team celebrated setting a new land speed record for a hydrogen vehicle, reaching a top speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: A close-up shot shows a name decal reading ''A. GREEN'' alongside the British Union Jack flag graphics affixed beneath the cockpit window of the hydrogen-powered ''JCB Hydromax'' streamliner on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Driven by British pilot Andy Green, the vehicle achieved a record speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: The ''JCB Hydromax'' hydrogen-powered streamliner sits parked on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Driven by British pilot Andy Green, the vehicle achieved a record speed of 406.320 mph. (Credit Image: © Charles McClintock Wilson/ZUMA Press Wire)

A detailed shot shows a JCB logo alongside crossed American and British flag graphics on the bodywork of the hydrogen-powered "JCB Hydromax" streamliner on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Tuesday. Driven by British pilot Andy Green, the vehicle achieved a record speed of 406.320 mph during official speed trials. (Photo by Charles-McClintock Wilson/Sipa USA)

August 11, 2026, Wendover, Utah, USA: British driver Andy Green pilots the JCB Hydromax hydrogen‑powered streamliner across the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, during high‑speed test runs ahead of a land‑speed record attempt. The retired Royal Air Force pilot, who previously set world records with ThrustSSC, is targeting new benchmarks for hydrogen propulsion under FIA observation. (Credit Image: © Charles‑McClintock Wilson / ZUMA Press Wire)

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