Fastest man on land pushes hydrogen car to record 406 mph in Utah desert
A retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot, the only person to break the sound barrier on land, set a world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered car.
On August 12, retired Royal Air Force pilot Andy Green set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The record-breaking car, named Hydromax Streamliner, averaged a speed of 406.32 mph across two runs, surpassing the previous mark by more than 220 mph. Green, renowned for setting the land speed record for a diesel-powered vehicle in 2006, verified the attempt by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the global governing body for motorsport.
The Hydromax Streamliner's power came from two 800 horsepower hydrogen internal combustion engines, similar to traditional combustion engines but with the added benefit of producing no emissions. The engines were sourced from JCB, a British heavy plant manufacturer. The successful attempt raised hopes for hydrogen's potential in providing a clean energy alternative for heavy industries, such as construction and agriculture, where battery-powered electric vehicles might struggle to compete with traditional fuels in terms of efficiency.
JCB Chairman Lord Anthony Bamford called the record-setting a significant proof of concept exercise.
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