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A Chinese experimental maglev train has set a new world record by accelerating from zero to 800 kilometres per hour in just 5.3 seconds, surpassing its previous record.
The breakthrough was achieved on a one-kilometre test track at the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei province. Researchers said the achievement could help pave the way for future ultra-high-speed transportation systems.
Maglev trains use magnetic forces to float slightly above the track, eliminating direct contact and reducing friction. Magnetic waves generated by coils along the track propel the train forward at extremely high speeds.
Researchers demonstrated that the train could not only reach 800 km/h but also be brought to a complete stop in a controlled manner using an automated braking system. After reaching its top speed, the train came to a smooth stop within about 200 metres.
The latest achievement marks the third time in six months that the same train has broken the short-distance maglev acceleration record.
Weighing 1.1 tonnes, the train was first tested in June 2025, when it reached about 650 km/h in seven seconds. In subsequent tests, it broke its own records by reaching approximately 700 km/h and 798 km/h, while significantly reducing acceleration times.
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, the tests allowed researchers to evaluate several key technologies, including high-power electricity supply, electromagnetic propulsion, high-speed levitation control and emergency braking systems.
Maglev trains currently operating in China and Japan generally run at speeds of around 320 km/h. China’s Fuxing maglev is among the world’s fastest commercial maglev trains, with a top operating speed of about 350 km/h.
Researchers at China’s National University of Defense Technology are also developing ultra-high-speed maglev technology. In one of their tests, a train reached 697 km/h in just two seconds.
The experimental technology is not currently suitable for passenger transport. However, researchers believe its underlying principles could eventually contribute to the development of launch systems for rockets and fighter jets.
Chinese scientists are also exploring similar ultra-high-speed maglev systems inside low-pressure or vacuum tubes. Such systems, however, face major challenges, including high infrastructure costs, passenger safety and the construction of precise tracks over long distances.