Story perspectives

JCB’s Hydromax smashes FIA hydrogen record at 406.320 mph

8/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

JCB’s Hydromax, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, set an FIA record of 406.320 mph (653.909 kph).
The record was validated by two runs of 400.623 mph and 412.135 mph that satisfied the FIA opposite-direction rule.
Hydromax is powered by two 4.8-litre hydrogen engines from JCB’s Foston plant, delivering a combined 1,600 hp.
Lord Anthony Bamford said the achievement proves hydrogen can deliver zero-emission performance, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called it a historic milestone.

History

Historical Context

Toyota’s early-1990s fuel-cell research culminated in the Mirai, unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show and sold commercially from December 2014, becoming the first mass-produced hydrogen sedan with 21,475 units sold worldwide. That breakthrough underpins JCB’s Hydromax project, led by Andy Green and Lord Bamford, whose 1,600 hp twin-engine record now enjoys FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s endorsement.

1 of 2

Story summary

JCB’s Hydromax, driven by Wing Commander Andy Green, set an FIA record of 406.320 mph (653.909 kph).
The record was validated by two runs of 400.623 mph and 412.135 mph that satisfied the FIA opposite-direction rule.
Hydromax is powered by two 4.8-litre hydrogen engines from JCB’s Foston plant, delivering a combined 1,600 hp.
Lord Anthony Bamford said the achievement proves hydrogen can deliver zero-emission performance, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called it a historic milestone.

1 / 2