Changsha, China – In a feat that blurs the line between high-speed rail and science fiction, Chinese researchers have set a new world record with a magnetic levitation (maglev) system capable of accelerating from zero to 700 km/h (435 mph) in just two seconds.
The breakthrough test, conducted by the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT), involved a one-tonne superconducting electric maglev vehicle on a specialized 400-meter test track. The acceleration was so intense that observers described the vehicle as a “silver lightning bolt” that vanished almost instantly, leaving only a thin misty trail in its wake.
A “Blink-and-You-Miss-It” Achievement
The test was not just about top speed, but explosive acceleration. Reaching 700 km/h in two seconds requires force comparable to a jet fighter launch. Remarkably, the team also successfully brought the vehicle to a safe, controlled halt at the end of the short track, demonstrating precise control over the high-power system.
“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,” reported the South China Morning Post.
More Than Just Trains
While the immediate application is for next-generation transport, the implications extend far beyond railways. The electromagnetic acceleration technology used in this test is powerful enough to launch rockets. Experts suggest this system could revolutionize aerospace by providing “electromagnetic catapult” assists for space and aviation launches, reducing fuel consumption and costs for take-offs.
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Li Jie, a professor at the NUDT, emphasized the broader impact: “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”.
Paving the Way for the Hyperloop
This milestone brings the concept of a “hyperloop”—trains traveling through vacuum-sealed tubes at supersonic speeds—closer to reality. By combining this extreme acceleration with a low-vacuum environment, future transit systems could potentially connect distant cities in minutes rather than hours.
This record-breaking run builds on a decade of research by the NUDT team. Earlier this year, in January 2025, they utilized the same track to reach a top speed of 648 km/h. This latest test pushes the envelope further, cementing China’s position as a global leader in maglev technology—a journey that began nearly 30 years ago when the university developed the country’s first manned single-bogie maglev.
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Watch the record-breaking test footage:
I selected this video because it provides the actual footage of the record-breaking test reported by CGTN, allowing you to see the “silver flash” and misty trail described in the article.
