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45 min ago 2 min read
British heavy equipment manufacturer JCB will attempt to set a new land speed record using a hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE)-powered car, as it looks to beat a record it set with a diesel vehicle 20 years ago.
If successful, the 32-foot JCB Hydromax vehicle will surpass the Dieselmax’s 350mph record from 2006, while also beating the electric vehicle record of 342mph, the fuel cell record of 303mph, and the current hydrogen ICE record of 185.5 mph.
The attempt will take place on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where the Dieselmax set the mark, in August.
It will be powered by two JCB hydrogen ICEs driving all four wheels with a combined 1,600-horsepower through a twin-transmission and clutch system.
JCB Chairman, Anthony Bamford, said the record is “not just about speed,” but about showcasing the company’s new hydrogen engines.
“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,” he added.
In 2023, the firm its hydrogen ICE as a zero-emissions solution for construction and agricultural equipment. Its first came in March last year.
It comes amid heightened scrutiny of hydrogen’s use in mobility.
While hydrogen ICEs are positioned as a pragmatic route to clean mobility, the gas’s use faces criticism for its low energy efficiency compared to electric solutions.
Many proponents still argue it could play a role in heavy-duty, long-haul applications, where electric vehicles face constraints related to payload and uptime.
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