Why maglev is (basically) impossible

A team at China’s National University of Defense Technology has accelerated a one tonne maglev sled to 700 kilometres per hour in just two seconds, setting a new benchmark for ultra fast ground transport. The breakthrough adds fresh momentum to China’s ambitions in magnetic levitation, following the development of the CRRC 600 train, and hints at a future where trains could rival aircraft speeds.

But despite decades of promise, maglev has struggled to move beyond niche projects. From Shanghai’s underused airport link to delayed plans in Japan, high costs, technical challenges and competition from high speed rail have held it back. As new tests push the limits of what is possible, the bigger question remains whether the technology can ever be deployed at scale.