China Sets New Maglev Speed Record: 700 km/h in Just 2 Seconds

Chinese researchers at the National University of Defence Technology have set a new world record for superconducting electric maglev systems, successfully propelling a one-tonne vehicle to 700 kilometers per hour in just two seconds on a 400-meter test track. The test, conducted in December 2025 and captured in viral footage, demonstrated significant progress in magnetic levitation technology. The breakthrough resolves core technical challenges including ultra-high-speed electromagnetic propulsion, electric suspension guidance, transient high-power energy storage inversion, and high-field superconducting magnets. This development puts China at the forefront of global maglev technology, with potential applications ranging from hyperloop systems to aerospace launches. The team had previously achieved 648 km/h on the same track in January 2025. China has been developing maglev technology for over three decades, with CRRC Qingdao Sifang testing a 600 km/h prototype in 2020 and Southwest Jiaotong University working on systems targeting over 600 km/h.