JCB targets 400mph with Hydromax

20 years ago JCB set a 350mph diesel record - what can it reach with hydrogen?

By Matt Bird / Wednesday, 13 May 2026 / Loading comments

JCB has quite the history when it comes to speed records. In 2019, it created the fastest tractor on the planet, the 135.191mph Fastrac. The JCB GT remains the fastest Backhoe Loader in the world, having reached 72.58mph in 2014. Most famous of all, though, was JCB’s Dieselmax, a 350mph streamliner that stunned Bonneville in 2006.

This year it turns out JCB is heading back to the iconic salt flats, again targeting a land speed record. This time, though, it’s with hydrogen power, the new Hydromax helping to promote JCB’s recent £100m spend - including a new San Antonio factory - on making hydrogen diggers. As Hydromax is aiming to break records in Utah (with a little help from Prodrive and Ricardo), the first hydrogen-powered JCBs should be hard at work doing what diggers do.

Andy Green will be driving the 9.75m streamliner this summer; who else do you call when there’s a speed record to set? He was the man who achieved 350.092 in Dieselmax, and will be aiming to better that this time around. Surely no bother for the man who reached 763.035mph, if still a pretty intimidating prospect for the rest of us. Wing Commander Green added: “The 'JCB Hydromax' car is lighter, more powerful and faster than its predecessor of 20 years ago. Once again, we're going to show the world just how good British engineering and technology really is. This August we're going to smash the hydrogen-powered vehicle record in the world's fastest (and most exciting!) zero-emissions vehicle. I can't wait.”

The Hydromax gets its 1622hp from a pair of ‘production-based hydrogen engines’, and JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford is unabashed about his intention: “As for the speed, we’re aiming for with JCB Hydromax – we intend to beat 350 mph.” Which would be quite some line in the sand (or the salt, rather) for hydrogen power. Bonneville Speed Week kicks off on August 1st…