400 mph in 7 seconds: China tests world’s fastest maglev transport

China’s maglev research program has achieved a new speed milestone by accelerating a 1.1-tonne test vehicle to 650 km/h (about 404 mph) in just seven seconds over a 600-meter stretch on a 1-km demonstration track at Donghu Laboratory in Hubei Province. This sprint approach relies on electromagnetic propulsion and magnetic levitation, eliminating wheel-rail friction and allowing rapid acceleration and precise braking—stopping from top speed within 200 meters. The system’s high-resolution position control, accurate to within four millimeters, enables this compact high-speed profile, contrasting with traditional maglev tests that require much longer tracks. This breakthrough is part of China’s broader maglev ambitions, where the country already leads in commercial maglev route-kilometers, including the Shanghai Maglev operating at 430 km/h. The Donghu line is designed to support routine trials at 800 km/h once construction finishes later in 2025. Chinese research also explores even faster concepts