Read our Privacy noticeAn experimental bullet train in China broke its own world record for acceleration, going from zero to 800km an hour in about five seconds, potentially paving the way for ultra-high-speed transportation. The hefty maglev train accelerated to 800km an hour from rest in just 5.3 seconds on a 1km test-track at the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei province. Chinese researchers showed the train could not only reach extreme speeds, but also come to a controlled stop with its braking system. The 1.1-tonne train was first tested in June 2025, when it reached about 650km an hour in seven seconds, creating a world record. The world’s fastest commercial maglev train, the Fuxing rail in China, achieves a top speed of 350km an hour.