800 kmph in 5.3 seconds: China’s maglev bullet train breaks own world record again

China’s experimental maglev bullet train has reportedly set another acceleration record, reaching 800 kmph from a standstill in just 5.3 seconds at a test facility in Hubei province.

The ultra-high-speed train achieved the feat on a 1-km test track at the Donghu Laboratory, according to reports. It marks the third time in six months that the experimental system has broken its own acceleration record.

The 1.1-tonne test vehicle had previously reached 798 kmph, after hitting 700 kmph in just two seconds in December 2025. When the maglev system was first tested in June 2025, it reached 650 kmph in seven seconds.

For comparison, commercial maglev trains in China and Japan generally operate at around 320 kmph, while China’s fastest conventional high-speed passenger trains can reach about 350 kmph.

How maglev technology works

Maglev trains use powerful magnetic fields to lift the vehicle above the track, eliminating direct contact and significantly reducing friction. Electromagnetic coils embedded along the track generate magnetic forces that propel and guide the train.

The test track requires extremely precise alignment, with deviations reportedly limited to no more than 0.5 millimetres. Similar electromagnetic propulsion technology could potentially be adapted for applications beyond rail transport, including spacecraft and aircraft launches.

Train demonstrates controlled braking

Researchers also demonstrated that the experimental vehicle could safely decelerate after reaching 800 kmph. The train reportedly came to a complete stop over a distance of roughly 200 metres.

The latest tests examined several key technologies, including high-power energy transmission, high-speed levitation control, electromagnetic propulsion and emergency braking.

Chinese researchers are also exploring next-generation maglev systems capable of operating inside low-pressure or near-vacuum tubes, where reduced air resistance could allow substantially higher speeds.

China’s maglev ambitions

China has been investing heavily in ultra-high-speed maglev technology. In 2020, CRRC Qingdao Sifang unveiled a prototype designed to operate at speeds of up to 600 kmph.

Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University in Chengdu have also been developing high-temperature superconducting maglev technology aimed at achieving speeds beyond 600 kmph.

The latest system remains experimental and is not suitable for passenger service. Researchers, however, believe the underlying technology could eventually have applications beyond transportation, potentially including spacecraft and military aircraft launches.