Maglev Train In 7 seconds from 0 to 650 km/h 

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FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Maglev trains experience no friction, only air resistance. As a result, they achieve very high speeds more quickly and easily. A new record has now been set in China.

As reported by the state-owned Chinese television broadcaster CGTN, a maglev train reached a speed of 650 km/h (approx. 400 mph). This is already an impressive speed. Even more impressive is the fact that this speed was achieved in just 7 seconds. The record attempt took place on a specially constructed test track at the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei Province. There, a vehicle weighing approximately 1.1 tons accelerated to this top speed over a distance of just one kilometer. The test track itself is currently unique, as it is so short and still enables such extreme acceleration values. According to the developers, the world record was achieved over a distance of around 600 meters (approx. 1970 ft), followed by the braking process, which also took only a few hundred meters.

This acceleration marvel is made possible by a combination of advanced maglev technology and a linear motor that drives the vehicle almost frictionlessly. The train hovers non-contact over the track, held and stabilized by electromagnetic repulsion forces. This eliminates mechanical friction losses that would occur with conventional rail vehicles. The position of the vehicle must be measured with extreme precision. According to the engineers, deviations are controlled to within just a few millimeters to ensure even acceleration and safe braking.

In comparison to existing maglev trains, this test run represents a significant technological leap. The previous record holder from Japan, the L0-Maglev, already exceeded 600 km/h (approx. 370 mph) years ago but required a much longer test track of over 40 kilometers (approx. 25 miles) to do so. The new approach demonstrates that such extreme speeds can also be safely achieved and decelerated over very short distances. This is particularly important for the development of future high-speed rail lines.

New Records Could Soon Follow

In the long term, the technology will not stop at 650 km/h (approx. 400 mph). Engineers are already planning an expansion to 800 km/h (approx. 490 mph). Both the drive and control system are to be further optimized for this purpose. The aim is to use maglev trains not only for short inner-city routes or airport transfers but also for fast connections between major cities over medium distances. The advantages are clear. Where airplanes lose time due to safety protocols and take-off and landing times, a maglev train with this acceleration and speed could cover large distances in a very short time while operating much more energy-efficiently, provided the electricity comes from renewable sources.

In addition to the technical challenges, the question of costs and economic viability arises. Building such infrastructure is complex and expensive. Tracks must be laid with high precision, and the drive technology requires maintenance at the highest level. However, with this record attempt, China demonstrates its willingness to invest in precisely this future to position itself at the forefront of global competition in high-speed connections.

The test runs are another signal of how advanced technology in China truly is. Many say that China will soon overtake the rest of the world. But perhaps it has already happened. With an acceleration to 650 km/h (approx. 400 mph) in just seven seconds, the country impressively demonstrates the potential of maglev technology. It is still unclear when and where the first regular routes with such extreme performance profiles will be put into operation. However, the course has been set for a new era in rail transport.

Japan is also consistently advancing maglev technology: The planned maglev route will revolutionize long-distance travel there. Starting in 2027, the first phase of the Chuo Shinkansen will reduce the travel time between Tokyo and Nagoya to just 40 minutes—currently, the journey takes about one and a half hours. By 2045, the route will be extended to Osaka, making the entire Tokyo–Osaka connection achievable in just 67 minutes, compared to the current two and a half hours with the fastest Nozomi train. This is made possible by an operating speed of 505 km/h (approx. 810 mph), nearly twice as fast as conventional Shinkansen. For business travelers and commuters, this creates a completely new dimension of mobility. The time saved in travel could further boost economic cooperation between the metropolitan regions. Once again, Japan demonstrates how high-speed technology is changing the way we travel.

It is indeed regrettable that this technology has not been consistently developed further in Germany, even though the country was once a pioneer in maglev technology with the Transrapid. (mr)

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