Britain's Andy Green sets another speed record, this time for fastest run in a hydrogen-powered car

Andy Green, the British former RAF pilot who previously broke the sound barrier in a car, has set another world record on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, by reaching a speed of 406.320 mph (653.908 kph) in a hydrogen-powered vehicle. This achievement took place at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, marking a new milestone in the pursuit of alternative fuel technologies. The record-setting run occurred during a test drive of a specially modified 32-foot (9.75-meter) car built by British construction equipment manufacturer JCB. The vehicle was equipped with two hydrogen internal combustion engines, each producing 800 horsepower, for a total of 1,600 horsepower. These engines were adapted from those used in JCB’s heavy machinery, utilizing pressurized hydrogen gas mixed with air to generate power. The run took place along a 10-mile (16-kilometer) straightaway, allowing sufficient space for acceleration and top speed. This latest record surpasses the previous hydrogen combustion world record of 185.5 mph (298.5 kph), though it still falls significantly short of the all-time land-speed record held by Green himself. In 1997, he achieved 763.035 mph (1,227.985 kph) in the Thrust SSC, a jet-powered car that broke the sound barrier and remains unmatched. That historic run took place in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, where the sonic boom generated by the vehicle rattled nearby towns such as Gerlach. Green also holds the land-speed record for a diesel-powered car, set in 2006 at the Bonneville Salt Flats with a speed of 350.092 mph (563.4 kph). His return to the salt flats this year aimed to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen as a viable alternative fuel. While hydrogen-powered vehicles remain a niche in the automotive sector, Green’s performance highlights their capabilities under controlled conditions. The Bonneville Salt Flats, located approximately 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Salt Lake City, provide an ideal environment for high-speed testing due to their low friction surface and arid climate. The area sits atop a shallow aquifer that helps cool tires, making it a favored location for land-speed records since the first race in 1914. Green, who has long been associated with the site, brought both experience and a legacy of record-breaking to the event. JCB engineers expressed optimism about the implications of Green’s run for the clean-energy sector. They believe that hydrogen could offer advantages over electric power in certain industrial applications. However, they acknowledge that hydrogen’s environmental benefits depend largely on how it is produced. Currently, most hydrogen is derived from fossil fuels, although JCB has committed to sourcing green hydrogen, which is generated using renewable energy. The event attracted several dozen JCB employees and media representatives, who observed the run remotely via cameras and binoculars. Despite the impressive speed, Green noted that his performance with hydrogen power did not reach the levels achievable with jet propulsion. Nevertheless, the demonstration serves as a step forward in promoting sustainable alternatives for transportation and industry.