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Hydromax: JCB presents the world's fastest hydrogen vehicle
Germany🏛️ PoliticsCenter10 days ago

Hydromax: JCB presents the world's fastest hydrogen vehicle

The British manufacturer of construction, industrial, and agricultural machinery JCB has set a new speed record for land vehicles powered by hydrogen combustion engines at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The JCB Hydromax, equipped with two standard diesel engines originally designed for excavators, achieved an average speed of 406.32 mph (about 653.9 km/h) over two runs, surpassing the previous record of 185.5 mph set by a BMW H2R in 2004. Piloted by former RAF pilot Andy Green, who previously set a diesel-powered speed record in 2006, the vehicle falls under the FIA Category A, Group XIV, Class 7 for hydrogen-combustion vehicles. The Hydromax uses two hydrogen-combustion engines with a combined power of 1600 PS, developed as part of a £100 million program. The vehicle features advanced cooling systems using ice and aerodynamic design optimized for high-speed stability.

The British manufacturer of construction, industrial, and earthmoving machinery, JCB, has set a new world speed record for land vehicles powered by hydrogen combustion engines. The JCB Hydromax, a hydrogen-powered vehicle, achieved an average speed of 406.32 mph (approximately 653.9 km/h) during two runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, United States. This marks a dramatic improvement over the previous record of 185.5 mph, which was set by a BMW H2R in August 2004, also at Bonneville. Andy Green, a former pilot with the Royal Air Force, drove the JCB Hydromax during the record attempt. Green previously piloted the JCB DieselMax in 2006, setting a diesel-powered land vehicle speed record. He is also recognized as the first person to break the sound barrier with a land vehicle, achieving a speed of 763.035 mph (about 1,228 km/h). The JCB Hydromax is part of the FIA Category A, Group XIV, Class 7 for land vehicles, which requires a flying start to trigger the timing measurement. The vehicle is 9.75 meters long and equipped with two hydrogen-combustion engines, each delivering approximately 588 kW (800 PS), totaling 1,600 PS. These engines were originally designed for JCB’s excavators and earthmoving equipment but have been modified as part of a £100 million hydrogen program. They are manufactured at JCB’s engine plant in Foston, Derbyshire, England. The two engines are positioned at the front and rear of the vehicle for better weight distribution and drive all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission. Cooling is achieved using ice via a phase-change cooling system. Approximately a quarter ton of ice is required per run, preventing traditional air-cooled systems from interfering with the vehicle's aerodynamics, which are essential for stability at high speeds. During the record attempt, Green completed two runs. In the first, the vehicle averaged 400.623 mph, while the second run reached 412.135 mph. The overall average of both runs came to 406.32 mph. This makes the JCB Hydromax faster than any hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle, which holds a speed record of 303 mph. Thus, the JCB Hydromax is currently the fastest land vehicle powered by hydrogen. In addition to this record, JCB holds other notable records, including the fastest hydrogen and diesel combustion-powered vehicle, the highest speed for tractors at 135.191 mph, and the fastest loader truck at 72.58 mph. The achievement underscores JCB’s commitment to advancing hydrogen technology in heavy machinery. The company has invested heavily in developing these engines, aiming to demonstrate the potential of hydrogen combustion as a viable alternative to conventional fuels in large-scale industrial applications. The success of the JCB Hydromax could influence future developments in sustainable transportation and energy efficiency within the construction and mining industries.

2 reports

heise online logoheise onlineIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 9010 days ago
Hydromax: JCB presents the world's fastest hydrogen vehicle

The British manufacturer of construction, industrial, and agricultural machinery JCB has set a new speed record for land vehicles powered by hydrogen combustion engines at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The JCB Hydromax, equipped with two standard diesel engines originally designed for excavators, achieved an average speed of 406.32 mph (about 653.9 km/h) over two runs, surpassing the previous record of 185.5 mph set by a BMW H2R in 2004. Piloted by former RAF pilot Andy Green, who previously set a diesel-powered speed record in 2006, the vehicle falls under the FIA Category A, Group XIV, Class 7 for hydrogen-combustion vehicles. The Hydromax uses two hydrogen-combustion engines with a combined power of 1600 PS, developed as part of a £100 million program. The vehicle features advanced cooling systems using ice and aerodynamic design optimized for high-speed stability.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a technological achievement by JCB, focusing on engineering specifications, performance metrics, and historical context. There is no overt ideological framing, partisan commentary, or emphasis on political implications. The narrative remains neutral,客观,

Why factuality (95): This detailed article provides specific figures such as the average speed of 653.9 km/h, the previous record of 185.5 mph, and mentions the FIA category and technical specifications of the JCB Hydromax. These details are consistent with the Der Spiegel report and align with the broader consensus on

Why objectivity (90): The article maintains a neutral and informative tone, providing technical details without expressing personal opinion or emotional language. It presents both the historical context and the specifics of the current record without favoring any particular perspective.

Der Spiegel logoDer SpiegelIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8011 days ago
Record: This hydrogen-powered car goes over 400 miles an hour

The article reports that the 'JCB Hydromax' set a speed record for hydrogen-powered cars in the U.S. state of Utah, reaching over 650 km/h. The driver was Andy Green, who previously broke the sound barrier in 1997 while driving on four wheels. The event highlights advancements in hydrogen combustion engine technology.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on a technological achievement without overtly favoring any political ideology. It focuses on the technical aspects of the vehicle and the historical significance of the driver, without commentary on policy implications or political agendas.

Why factuality (85): The article reports that the JCB Hydromax set a new speed record for hydrogen-powered cars in Utah, driven by Andy Green. It aligns with the cross-source consensus from heise online, which confirms the record was set at Bonneville Salt Flats with an average speed of 653.9 km/h. The mention of Andy G

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains neutral, presenting facts about the vehicle, its performance, and the driver without overt bias. However, there is slight emphasis on the significance of the achievement, which may lean slightly towards celebrating the technological milestone.

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