JCB hydrogen streamliner hits 368.347 mph in Bonneville SCTA record run

JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax streamliner set a new SCTA class record at Bonneville Salt Flats, reaching an average of 368.347 mph ahead of the company’s planned FIA world record attempt next week. The run marks the first time in 16 years the class record has fallen and gives JCB fresh momentum for its hydrogen-motorsport push.

Why it matters: - JCB used hydrogen combustion to set a land-speed record, adding a high-profile proof point for zero-emissions power in extreme performance testing. - The record run comes days before JCB’s official FIA world record attempt, so the SCTA result strengthens the team’s bid and its engineering case. - The achievement also reinforces JCB’s broader hydrogen strategy as the company prepares to open a new U.S. factory in San Antonio, Texas.

What happened: - JCB’s hydrogen-powered Hydromax streamliner set an SCTA record at Bonneville Salt Flats on August 6, 2026. - Wing Commander Andy Green OBE drove the 32-foot, twin-engined streamliner in the Southern California Timing Association’s Blown Gas Streamliner class. - The official average speed was 368.347 mph after runs of 367.141 mph yesterday and a top speed of 369.554 mph today. - The run took place during Bonneville Speed Week, the SCTA’s annual land-speed event in Utah.

The details: - The new mark beat the previous SCTA class record of 348.342 mph, set by the Spectre Streamliner in 2010. - The record is the first in 16 years for the class. - JCB Hydromax is powered by two production-based hydrogen internal combustion engines. - The engines are being turned up toward a combined output of 1,600 hp. - The team has completed 44 runs to date as part of a strict test programme. - Newsroom images and updates are available from JCB.

Between the lines: - Lord Bamford framed the result as evidence that hydrogen power can perform at the highest level with zero emissions. - Andy Green said the record has given the team confidence in the car, the engineering and the next-stage power increase. - Ryan Ballard said Speed Week gives teams a rare platform to push engineering and performance limits. - JCB’s long-running speed program includes the Dieselmax streamliner’s 2006 diesel land-speed record, the Fastrac tractor’s 2019 speed title and the GT backhoe loader’s 2014 record. - JCB is also using the hydrogen project to showcase British engineering to a global audience.

What’s next: - JCB will stay at Bonneville and focus on an FIA world record bid next week. - The team plans to use the SCTA data to push the Hydromax faster in the next round of testing. - The company’s new $500 million, 1 million-square-foot, 400-acre factory in San Antonio is due to open soon and will employ 1,500 people.

The bottom line: - JCB has already taken a major step toward its FIA attempt, and the Bonneville run gives its hydrogen-powered record campaign real credibility.