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JCB Reveals Hydrogen Combustion Vehicle Aiming to Break Its Own 20-Year-Old Diesel Land Speed Record

JCB announced plans for the JCB Hydroxmax, powered by two hydrogen engines producing 800hp, exactly 20 years after setting the still-standing diesel record of 350.01 mph. The vehicle will be driven by now-retired Green. Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman, said the company aims to exceed its previous mark by at least 5 percent.

The Bbc
1 source·May 12, 8:56 PM(16 days ago)·2m read
JCB Reveals Hydrogen Combustion Vehicle Aiming to Break Its Own 20-Year-Old Diesel Land Speed Recordgreencarreports.com
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JCB announced an attempt to set a new world land speed record with a hydrogen-powered car, 20 years after breaking the diesel land speed record. The Staffordshire-based manufacturer and digger maker unveiled the plans for the JCB Hydroxmax at its headquarters in Rocester on Tuesday. " He told the BBC the company had its sights set on beating its diesel land speed record.

01 mph, which still stands. Lord Bamford said the company has been heavily involved in developing hydrogen engines for 20 years. "Starting with our diesel engine, we have developed engines which run on hydrogen," Lord Bamford stated.

The new Hydromax car is powered by two four-cylinder engines totalling 800hp. A company spokesperson said the vehicle's hydrogen internal combustion engines would drive all four wheels through a twin-transmission and clutch system in an attempt to become the fastest hydrogen-powered car. The JCB Hydromax is set to be driven by now-retired Green.

Lord Bamford described the Hydroxmax as a beautifully designed car with quite a lot of pushing power whose engines are slanted and not vertical to reduce height for better speed and acceleration. He said the engines run on hydrogen extremely well and it can replace other forms of fuel. The reason for hydrogen is mainly because of emissions, Lord Bamford said.

01 mph. Green said the JCB Hydromax was better than the Dieselmax and he would be amazed if it didn't break the record. "The JCB Diesel car 20 years ago was the most extraordinary straight-line racing vehicle I have ever seen, that's the reason it's still, by a long way, the fastest diesel car in history," he said.

Green added that the hydrogen car is lighter than the previous one, more aerodynamic than the previous car, and has more power than the previous car. "In every key area, it is expected to out-perform," he explained. "So are we going to make 350mph?

The Bbc reported that Lord Bamford told the BBC there is an enormous push in the world to try and reduce emissions which of course can cause all sorts of problems in the bigger world. If successful, he said it will be an accolade for engineering and for the company.

Key Facts

JCB announced attempt to set new hydrogen land speed record
The JCB Hydroxmax is powered by two four-cylinder hydrogen engines totalling 800hp and will be driven by now-retired Green; it aims to beat the 350.01 mph diese
Lord Bamford stated 20-year hydrogen development focus
Lord Bamford, JCB Chairman, said the company has been heavily involved in developing hydrogen engines for 20 years mainly because of emissions and that the engi
Green compared Hydroxmax favorably to Dieselmax
Green said the hydrogen car is lighter, more aerodynamic, and more powerful than the previous record-holder and that he would be amazed if it did not break the

Story Timeline

2 events
  1. 2006

    JCB built its first streamliner and set the world land speed record for diesel cars at 350.01 mph, which still stands

    1 sourceThe Bbc
  2. 2026-05-12

    JCB unveiled plans for the JCB Hydroxmax at its headquarters in Rocester

    1 sourceThe Bbc

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Successful record attempt would provide engineering accolade for JCB and highlight hydrogen internal combustion as viable alternative fuel

  2. 02

    Demonstration of slanted hydrogen engines reducing vehicle height could influence future motorsport and clean-fuel vehicle design

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count366 words
PublishedMay 12, 2026, 8:56 PM
Bias signals removed1 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1

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