Andy Green Sets Hydrogen-Powered Car Speed Record at Bonneville Salt Flats

In Wendover, Utah, British driver Andy Green set a remarkable world record by achieving a speed of 406.320 mph (653.908 kph) in a car powered by hydrogen internal combustion engines. This accomplishment, recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, marked a significant achievement in hydrogen power.

Setting New Records

Green’s record-setting vehicle was engineered by JCB, a British construction equipment manufacturer. The car was powered by two engines adapted from heavy machinery, using pressurized hydrogen gas combined with air to create powerful bursts of energy.

After the record-breaking run, Green expressed satisfaction with the performance of both the hydrogen technology and the engineering showcased at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Previous Achievements

This new record adds to Green’s history of speed achievements. In 1997, he set the land-speed record using jet power at 763.035 mph (1,227.985 kph), which remains unbeaten. He broke the sound barrier in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, causing sonic booms that shook nearby areas.

In 2006, Green established the diesel-powered car record at 350.092 mph (563.4 kph) at Bonneville. Now at 64, the retired Royal Air Force pilot returned to target similar speeds using hydrogen.

Pushing Hydrogen Technology

Green’s run easily surpassed the previous hydrogen combustion record of 185.5 mph (298.5 kph). The 10-mile (16-kilometer) straightaway allowed for significant speed buildup. Observers, including JCB staff and media, watched remotely using cameras and binoculars. Inside the car, temperatures exceeded 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius), but Green had prepared through training and acclimatization.

The Bonneville Salt Flats, formed from an ancient lake bed, offered a low-friction surface that enhanced speed potential. Green described the surface as behaving like packed snow.

Impact on Clean Energy

While Green didn’t reach supersonic speeds, JCB engineers believe his achievement highlights hydrogen’s potential in clean energy. JCB’s chairman advocates for hydrogen in industries unable to rely on electric power alone.

Though primarily produced from fossil fuels, hydrogen can be generated through renewable energy. However, production costs remain higher than traditional fuels. Greg Keoleian from the University of Michigan highlights the importance of cost reduction for wider adoption.

Exploration of natural hydrogen deposits could make production cheaper, paving the way for broader application as an energy carrier.

Associated Press reporter Dave Collins contributed to the coverage of this event.