Hydrogen-powered 'rocket car' tops 400 mph in record-breaking test (video)

Is it a rocket car? Tearing across the Utah desert at over 400 mph (644 kph), a hydrogen-powered car has set a new land speed record.

Wing Commander Andy Green, a retired British Royal Air Force fighter pilot, just set a new world land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the JCB Hydromax vehicle.

On two different runs on Aug.

11, the car went 400.623 mph (644.740 kph) and then 412.135 mph (663.267 kph), which averages out to 406.320 mph (653.909 kph).

That's the fastest that any car with a hydrogen internal combustion engine has traveled.

"It was an amazing experience," Green told Space.com on Aug.

12 about his record-breaking drives.

"Anything above about 350 miles an hour [563 kph], we'd have gone away really pleased," he added.

"It is performing better.

It was more reliable than we expected, and it has blown away the hydrogen record.

It's in every way a real thrill for all of us yesterday to see that happen." Green is no stranger to breaking records.

In 1997, he drove a jet-powered car 763.035 mph (1,227.985 kph, or Mach 1.02), setting a new land speed record while also becoming the first person to break the sound barrier on land.

About 20 years ago, Green also set the land speed record for a diesel-powered vehicle, going over 350 mph (563 kph).

Until now, the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle didn't come close to that, topping out at 303 mph (488 kph).