New generation of high-speed trains in China: Faster, quieter, greener

Railway technology New generation of high-speed trains in China: Faster, quieter, greener

2025-03-04 From Henrik Bork | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

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China has unveiled the next generation of its high-speed trains. Just before the turn of the year, the new CR450 prototype for the Chinese "Gaotie" was revealed in Beijing for the first time, which is the Chinese equivalent of the ICE in Germany or the Shinkansen in Japan.

In China's capital Beijing, on December 29, 2024, the prototype of the world's fastest high-speed train was unveiled. It can reach a top speed of 450 km/h (approx. 280 mph).(Image: Xinhua | Ju Huanzong) — In China's capital Beijing, on December 29, 2024, the prototype of the world's fastest high-speed train was unveiled. It can reach a top speed of 450 km/h (approx. 280 mph).
(Image: Xinhua | Ju Huanzong)

The new trains will run even faster, while at the same time being more economical in energy consumption and quieter for passengers, reports the official news agency Xinhua. In travel tests, 200,000 kilometers (approx. 124 miles) of which have been conducted so far, the CR450 reached a maximum speed of 450 kilometers per hour (approx. 280 mph). Once it can be put into commercial operation—which is expected to be the case in about two years—the operating speed on China's fastest routes will be able to increase from the current 350 to 400 km/h (approx. 217 to 249 mph), writes Xinhua. "An increase in speed of 50 km/h (approx. 31 mph) may not sound like much, but a lot of hurdles had to be overcome for this," quotes the Chinese science newspaper Keji Ribao, Zhang Bo, the director of the "Rolling Stock Research Institute" of the "China Academy of Railway Sciences."

More space, less noise pollution

According to Chinese state media, the weight of the eight carriages, of which four run with and four without their own drive, has been reduced by ten percent, which reduces energy costs despite the higher speed. At the same time, stability and safety had to be maintained despite the lighter weight and higher speed. This was achieved, among other things, by using newly developed carbon fiber materials and innovations in the design of the chassis and body.

Through the design of a particularly pointed "nose" and other innovations, the air resistance has been further significantly reduced, announced the two manufacturers of the new train, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles and CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd. The operating resistance of the new high-speed train is overall 22 percent lower than its predecessor model, according to its developers.

New technologies have also been developed to reduce passenger noise pollution by two decibels. At the same time, passengers receive four percent more space than before, including new spaces for wheelchairs and strollers.

Longest high-speed rail network worldwide

China already operates the fastest and longest high-speed train network in the world. By the end of last year, it reached a length of 48,000 kilometers (approx. 29826 miles) but is still being expanded. Overall, China's rail network for trains of all speeds has reached a length of 162,000 kilometers (approx. 100662 miles). "As China looks to the future, its railway sector remains a symbol of our nation's ambitions to become a global leader in technological innovation and sustainable development," commented the China Daily on the newly introduced prototype.

The new high-speed train will likely once again be the one with the fastest operating speed globally. The soon possible 400 km/h (approx. 249 mph) contrasts with the current 300 km/h (approx. 186 mph) of the ICE3 in Germany and the 320 km/h (approx. 199 mph) of the French TGV and the Japanese "JR East E5".

Is even faster sensible?

Skeptical questions about whether even more speed is sensible are also raised in China, but they are immediately answered with reference to the economic and ecological benefits. Thus, the travel time between Beijing and Shanghai will be reduced from the current 4.5 to 3.3 hours if the new trains are used on this route.

The high-speed rail network is also of great importance for the economic development of remote parts of the country, including Tibet and many border regions of China. Many previously hard-to-reach and relatively underdeveloped travel destinations, such as the UNESCO World Heritage site Jiuzhaigou in the west of Sichuan province, are welcoming new development opportunities through domestic tourism.

Not only fast, but also green

As the sustainability of short-haul flights is increasingly questioned due to the climate debate, the use of high-speed trains seems even more sensible, at least for distances of up to 1000 kilometers (approx. 621 miles). No other mode of transport is currently more comfortable, faster, and more environmentally friendly.

Selling point speed

China is driving the technological development of its high-speed trains ever further because it wants to make money by selling them abroad. Having the fastest trains on earth—and operating them successfully—is a valuable selling point in the export business.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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In Indonesia, a high-speed rail network based purely on Chinese technology has been in operation since October 2023, having already transported more than four million passengers. High-speed trains from China also operate between Belgrade and Novi Sad. Many other countries are also interested in Chinese trains. (se)