Watch | China’s maglev hits 700km/h in less than 2 seconds. All about it

China has achieved a groundbreaking feat by accelerating a one-tonne train to a record speed of 700 km/h (435 mph) in just two seconds.The test, conducted on a 400-meter (1,310-foot) magnetic levitation test line, demonstrated not only unprecedented acceleration but also precise control during an equally rapid deceleration back to a full stop.
This achievement of Researchers at China’s National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) sets a new global benchmark for superconducting electric maglev technology, positioning China at the forefront of ultra-high-speed transportation. The test demonstrates the potential for revolutionising hyperloop travel, with vacuum-sealed tubes linking cities in minutes.
Footage of the test shared by CGTN showed a vehicle resembling a chassis zipping across the maglev track, leaving a trail of mist behind. It accelerated quickly and came to a sudden halt at the end of the line.“It resolves core technical challenges including ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inversion, and high-field superconducting magnets,” it reported.

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technology could also have significant implications for aerospace, providing new methods for launch assistance and testing. Electromagnetic propulsion could reduce rocket and aircraft fuel use by helping with take-offs, lowering costs during the key launch phase. It may also enable ground-based simulations of ultra-high-speed flight to test specialised equipment.Thirty years ago, the same university built China’s first manned single-bogie maglev train, making it the world’s third country to master maglev train technology. China now leads the world in this field.

The NUDT team has dedicated a decade to this project.

In an interview with CCTV, Li Jie, a National University of Defence Technology professor, said, “The successful development of this ultra-high-speed superconducting electric maglev system will accelerate the research and development process of China’s ultra-high-speed maglev transport.”

The country’s high-speed maglev train, the Shanghai Maglev, connects Pudong International Airport to Longyang Road Station, reaching speeds of 268 mph (431 km/h).

China’s aggressive approach to maglev development is expected to transform passenger commutes, with plans to extend the technology to achieve speeds of 1,000 km/h (621 mph).

As China continues to push the boundaries of transportation technology, the future of high-speed travel looks set to change dramatically.