China Unveils Futuristic 373mph Maglev Train, ‘Fastest’ Ground Vehicle Globally
Image via CRRC
Revealed yesterday in Qingdao, Shandong, China’s new maglev train can travel up to 600kph (372.8 mph). This makes it currently the titleholder of “fastest ground vehicle in the world,” per Reuters.
Using electro-magnetic force, the maglev train runs with no contact between itself and the train track. In a sense, it floats between destinations. Instead of taking three hours by plane or five and a half by high speed rail, commuters can now reach Shanghai from Beijing in just two and a half hours. Considering that the journey is more than 620 miles, that’s pretty impressive.
Developing a high-speed transport network helps to achieve China’s aim to put “three-hour transportation circles” between major cities, an initiative first put forward in 2019, Lu Huapu (Director of the Transportation Research Institute of Tsinghua University) told the Global Times.
The train itself has low noise pollution, small vibration, and the capacity to carry a large number of passengers at once. It also needs less maintenance than older trains. At its speed, it’s also situated nicely in the gap between high speed rail at its fastest (217mph) and aircraft at cruising speed (500mph), describes Liang Jianying, deputy general manager and chief engineer of the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC).
Although the train is complete, it doesn’t yet have any tracks. However, research is being done into incorporating the lightning fast technology in inter-city and inter-province travel. Regions interested include Shanghai–Hangzhou, and Chengdu–Chongqing.
The world's first 600 km/h high-speed maglev transportation system, the fastest ground transportation vehicle at present, will be launched in Qingdao, China on July 20, 2021. pic.twitter.com/XDU7PxIoFc
— CRRC Corporation Ltd (@CRRC_global) July 18, 2021
On July 20, 2021, the 600 km/h high-speed maglev transportation system is successfully launched in Qingdao, China. This is another important milestone after the successful test run of the 600 km/h high-speed maglev prototype car on June 21, 2020. pic.twitter.com/5L4bOftujJ
— CRRC Corporation Ltd (@CRRC_global) July 21, 2021
[via Reuters, images via CRRC]
Also check out these recent news
