Andy Green sets hydrogen-powered land speed record in Utah

Retired RAF pilot Andy Green, the only person to break the sound barrier in a car, set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle on Tuesday at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. Driving the JCB Hydromax, Green reached an average speed of 406.320 mph (653.908 km/h) over two runs, more than doubling the previous hydrogen combustion record of 185.5 mph set in 2004 Source: AP News, CNA. The record is subject to ratification by the FIA Source: CNA.

The run

The 64-year-old's two runs averaged 400.623 mph and 412.135 mph Source: CNA. The Hydromax, a 9.75-metre car built by JCB, is powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines producing a combined 1,600 horsepower, adapted from the company's construction machinery Source: BBC, Euronews. Green called the car "magnificent, stable, strong and fast" Source: CNA.

Context and motivation

Green previously set the outright land speed record of 763.035 mph in the jet-powered ThrustSSC in 1997 and the diesel record of 350.092 mph in 2006 Source: BBC, AP News. JCB has invested £100 million ($135 million) in hydrogen engine development and hopes the project promotes hydrogen for heavy industry Source: CNA. However, sources note that hydrogen's cleanliness depends on its source, with most currently produced from fossil fuels Source: Euronews, The Guardian.

Safety and outlook

Green acknowledged the safety challenges of hydrogen combustion, saying "We're managing the risks very carefully" Source: The Guardian. The record run precedes JCB's opening of a new $500 million factory in Texas Source: CNA.