According to Chinese media, a 2.8-ton car was reportedly seen floating 35 millimeters over a modified section of highway in eastern China. In another test, the top speed was 230 kph (about 143mph). Researchers claim that adapting vehicles to maglev mobility could increase their range and lifespan while consuming less energy.
Engineers from Chengdu’s Southwest Jiaotong University set up a conductor rail and permanent magnet array to enable maglev transportation for the experiments on a 7.9 km (5 mi) stretch of road in Jiangsu province. They modified and tested a total of eight common cars for the special tracks. Maglev technology uses magnets and electromagnetic forces to lift vehicles—typically trains—above rails.
The experiments, however, are not likely to signal the arrival of commonplace maglev vehicles in China any time soon. They were set up by regional transportation authorities to investigate the safety and technological advancement of high-speed maglev transit on already-existing roads. Maglev vehicles could improve fuel efficiency in addition to reducing traffic jams by coordinating multiple lanes.
China has been at the forefront of maglev technology for some time. The first maglev train in the world, the Shanghai Transrapid, is still in operation. It is also the world’s fastest electric passenger train, traveling at 431 kph (268mph).
A 600 kph maglev train that was being built in Qingdao was unveiled by China last year. Even though the Shanghai route only runs from an airport into town, As an alternative to flying and conventional high-speed rail, China intends to ultimately employ maglev trains, like the one in Qingdao, to drastically cut travel times between major cities.
A study released this week by Allied Market Research projects that the global maglev market will generate $2.7 billion in revenue in 2025 and $5.6 billion by 2035. Urbanization may be the key element impacting growth in developing European countries.
A #maglev vehicle technology test saw a 2.8-tonne car float 35 millimeters above the road and run on a highway in #Jiangsu, east China. A permanent magnet array was installed for levitation. pic.twitter.com/7vWc8TvJpn
— QinduoXu (@QinduoXu) September 12, 2022
