An experimental maglev (short for magnetic levitation) train in China has accelerated from a standstill to 800km/h in 5.3 seconds during a test, setting a new short-distance acceleration record, according to a report by The Independent.

The 1.1-tonne experimental vehicle was tested on a 1km track at the Donghu Laboratory in China’s Hubei province. After reaching 800km/h, researchers brought it to a controlled stop over a distance of about 200 metres.

Maglev systems use magnetic forces to lift a vehicle above its track, reducing friction, while electromagnetic propulsion moves it forwards. Researchers have been testing the technology at increasingly high speeds to assess propulsion, levitation control, power delivery and braking systems.

The latest run marked the third time in six months that the experimental vehicle had broken a short-distance maglev acceleration record, according to the report. An earlier test in June 2025 saw it reach about 650km/h in seven seconds, followed by subsequent tests approaching 700km/h and 798km/h.

The technology is not currently designed to carry passengers. Researchers hope some of the systems being developed could eventually have applications in ultra-high-speed transport and launch technology. Chinese scientists are also studying maglev vehicles operating in low-pressure or vacuum tubes.

Such systems remain at an experimental stage and face significant obstacles before commercial deployment, including infrastructure costs, passenger safety requirements and the difficulty of constructing precisely aligned tracks over long distances.