According to China’s local media, a car equipped with magnetic elevation technology was tested on a highway in the country. It is a 2.8-tonne vehicle hovered 35 millimeters above the road surface. The vehicle is powered by electromagnetic force and guided by pre-installed conducting rails.
Researchers at the Jiaotong University of Chengdu carried out the test. They aimed to calculate the feasibility of adopting maglev technology in this manner on a broader scale. Maglev cars could significantly increase the lifespan of the vehicles, while also reducing energy consumption and increasing their range. A dedicated lane for maglev cars could also offer safety benefits and be coordinated in a way to prevent traffic jams.
China has become a leader in maglev transportation in recent years, has unveiled the first maglev train in Shanghai in 2004. The Shanghai Transrapid is the oldest commercial maglev system still in operation and is currently the fastest electric train in the world with a cruising speed of 431kph (268mph). This record could soon be broken after China unveiled a high-speed train last year capable of speeds of up to 600kph.
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Chinese manufacturer CCRC Qingdao said the train would create a “three-hour transportation circle” between major metropolitan hubs, with the 1,068km journey between Beijing and Shanghai taking just 2.5 hours. The train could also close the “speed gap” between high-speed rail and flying, while also reducing the time it takes to get from one city center to another compared to plane journeys.
In the maglev car road tests completed this week, the specially-adapted vehicles reached speeds of 230kph, more than twice the speed limit on China National Highway roads. Last month, China said it had completed construction of an 800m maglev trial line, although it is only capable of reaching speeds of 50mph (80kph). The Red Rail sees the train hover 30 feet above the ground with the track positioned above the vehicle.
The development of maglev vehicles will follow as a focus, said Deng Zigang, a professor at the university who hopes the technology can help reduce energy consumption and increase the driving range of cars in the future. Another road test, this time with speeds of 200 kilometers per hour, was conducted on the same day. A total of eight cars, including five new energy vehicles, were tested on a 7.9-kilometer section of the highway, with a maximum speed approaching 230 kilometers per hour. The tests were organized by provincial transport authorities and aimed to study road design and safety measures for high-speed driving.
