Andy Green set a new record with his hydrogen-powered car, reaching 406.320 mph (653.908 kph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, a governing body for motor sports, recognized this as a record for the hydrogen vehicle category. The car, featuring two hydrogen internal combustion engines generating a combined 1,600 horsepower, showcased the potential of this alternative fuel.
This achievement by the 64-year-old retired Royal Air Force pilot highlights the advances in hydrogen technology. Green credited the meticulous engineering skills applied to the vehicle, which was developed by JCB, a British construction equipment manufacturer. The engines used in the car were modified versions of those found in JCB’s heavy machinery. Pressurized hydrogen gas is combined with air, igniting it to produce powerful bursts of energy.
Green expressed his enthusiasm, describing the experience as a way to prove the capabilities of hydrogen power, especially on the renowned Bonneville Salt Flats, known for its optimal racing conditions.
Though Green did not surpass the overall land-speed record he set in 1997 with a jet-powered vehicle, the hydrogen-powered run was significant. In 1997, he drove the Thrust SSC to a staggering 763.035 mph (1,227.985 kph) at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, famously breaking the sound barrier.
In 2006, Green had broken the record for diesel-powered cars, reaching a speed of 350.092 mph (563.4 kph). On this occasion, he aimed to surpass that mark with hydrogen power, labeling hydrogen as the “fuel of the future.”
The record-setting run covered a 10-mile (16-kilometer) straightaway. Green surpassed the previous hydrogen combustion record of 185.5 mph (298.5 kph). Temperatures inside the car reached over 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius), but Green was prepared through extensive training both at the gym and with hot baths in anticipation of this challenge.
The Bonneville Salt Flats, a remnant of an ancient lake bed, provides unique conditions for speed trials. The surface is low-friction and ideal for races, drawing drivers since 1914. Despite resembling snow, it proves surprisingly slippery, presenting its own challenges.
JCB intends for Green’s success to impact the clean energy sector, advocating hydrogen over electric power, particularly for heavy industries. While most hydrogen is fossil fuel-derived, JCB has committed to acquiring green hydrogen, produced through renewable energy methods. Although the development of hydrogen technology spans decades, recent years have seen renewed interest and advancement.
Greg Keoleian, from the University of Michigan’s sustainable systems program, noted that hydrogen production costs remain a barrier compared to gas and diesel. However, the potential for hydrogen as an energy carrier for decarbonizing industry is promising. Efforts are underway to lower production costs by exploring natural hydrogen deposits.
This significant event marks another step forward in integrating hydrogen technology into broader energy solutions.