British industrial manufacturer JCB, widely recognized for its heavy construction and agricultural equipment, has achieved a historic milestone in alternative fuel automotive technology. The company’s custom-engineered Hydromax land-speed vehicle set a new world speed record for hydrogen-powered transportation during official trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, United States.

The record-breaking run achieved an officially verified average speed of 653.9 kilometers per hour, a result fully ratified by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The vehicle was piloted by former RAF fighter pilot Andy Green, famously known as the only person to have officially broken the sound barrier on land.

During the test sequences, the Hydromax registered individual pass speeds of 644.7 kilometers per hour and 663.2 kilometers per hour, respectively. Developed in collaboration with motorsport engineering firm Prodrive, the four-wheel-drive vehicle is powered by twin 4.8-liter turbocharged hydrogen engines delivering a combined output of 1,600 horsepower, supported by a specialized aerodynamic vertical stabilizer.

This achievement further builds upon JCB’s legacy of speed records across specialized vehicle classes. In 2006, the company's diesel-powered JCB Dieselmax set a longstanding record for diesel vehicles by reaching 563.4 kilometers per hour. Additionally, the manufacturer continues to hold official land-speed records for production tractors and backhoe loaders.