At the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail, the Chinese company CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles unveiled a groundbreaking prototype of a new-generation maglev train, capable of reaching a record speed of up to 600 km/h. This innovation is intended to bridge the gap between high-speed rail and air travel.

A key feature of the development is its hybrid dual-mode suspension system, incorporating both wheels and magnetic levitation. The train commences operation on wheels, reaching speeds of up to 150 km/h, before transitioning to magnetic levitation. According to Shao Nan, Senior Engineer at CRRC, this marks China's first maglev system utilizing electrodynamic suspension with superconducting magnets.

The new maglev is 1.7 times faster than existing high-speed trains and twice as economical as air travel for comparable distances, while maintaining zero emissions.

The first commercial lines for this train are planned to be operational by 2030, connecting major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Wuhan. These routes, spanning distances of 500 to 1500 km, are projected to reduce travel times by two to three times.

Experts note that China continues to solidify its leadership in railway technologies. This project, under development since 2022, is strategically significant for the country and is viewed as a viable alternative to air travel for medium distances. While similar technologies are being developed in Japan and Germany, the Chinese prototype demonstrates superior speed performance.

ORIENT