Driver Breaks Sound Barrier, Sets New Hydrogen Record

Andy Green, the first person to break the sound barrier in a car, has set a new world land speed record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle, reaching an average speed of 406.320 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The car, called the JCB Hydromax, is powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines with a combined 1,600 horsepower. Green previously set the land speed record for a diesel-powered car, reaching 350.092 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2006.

The JCB Hydromax reached a top speed of 368.347 mph in practice last week. The official attempt was overseen by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the international governing body of motor sports.

Green, 64, is a retired Royal Air Force fighter pilot who set the outright land speed record of 763.035 mph in 1997, driving a car powered by twin jet engines. JCB has invested more than $134 million in developing hydrogen-powered engines.

## What's Next The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile verified the attempt as the highest speed ever achieved by a hydrogen-powered vehicle. Green's achievement showcases the power of hydrogen as a clean-energy alternative.

The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah provided the ideal location for the record attempt, with its flat and expansive terrain allowing for high-speed runs. Green's success demonstrates the potential of hydrogen-powered vehicles, which could play a significant role in the future of transportation.