Poppe + Potthoff (P+P) has played a role in a historic achievement: the hydrogen-powered vehicle JCB Hydromax, developed by the British equipment manufacturer JCB, has set a new world land speed record for hydrogen-powered vehicles at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, USA. TOPAQ system components from Poppe + Potthoff made a significant contribution to the performance of the high-powered drivetrain.
With an officially measured average speed of 406.320 mph (653.909 km/h), the JCB Hydromax surpassed the previous record and established a new benchmark for hydrogen-based propulsion technologies. The record-breaking vehicle is powered by two hydrogen internal combustion engines delivering a combined output of 1600 hp.
The drivetrain incorporates components from Poppe + Potthoff’s modular TOPAQ hydrogen supply system. As part of its close collaboration with JCB, P+P supported the vehicle development process from the initial testing phase through to the final integration of the components. The integrated system components included the High Pressure Regulation Unit (HPRU), Parallel Charging Units (distribution rails), lines, and adapters. Within the system architecture, these components ensure an efficient and demand-oriented supply of hydrogen to the internal combustion engines.
Thanks to optimised integration and carefully designed interfaces, the overall system complexity was reduced while maintaining a high level of system stability and safety. Extensive testing during the development and validation phases confirmed the system’s reliable performance at an early stage. The successful deployment in the JCB Hydromax ultimately demonstrated this capability under the extreme conditions of a world-record attempt.
A strong signal for hydrogen-powered drives
“JCB Hydromax demonstrates the capabilities of hydrogen-based propulsion technology in a truly unique way,” says Markus Kerkhoff, CEO of Poppe + Potthoff GmbH. “We are proud that our TOPAQ system components contributed to this extraordinary achievement. This record proves that hydrogen-powered drivetrains can deliver both reliability and outstanding performance, even under extreme operating conditions.”
With this record, the JCB Hydromax follows in the footsteps of the JCB Dieselmax, which set the still-standing diesel land speed world record at the same location in 2006. Nearly 20 years later, the JCB Hydromax is now making a strong statement for alternative propulsion technologies with a hydrogen-powered vehicle. The achievement highlights the potential of hydrogen internal combustion engines for high-performance and sustainable applications.