The latest bullet train model in the Fuxing series can reach speeds of 450 km/h, while being more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient than previous versions.
Current bullet trains in China reach speeds of 350 km/h. (Photo: Xinhua).
The China Railway Corporation (CR) announced on November 9 that it will finalize the production and testing of a prototype vehicle that could become the fastest high-speed train in the world this year. They will also upgrade the extensive domestic railway network, according to CGTN. The development plan of CR, the operator of the largest high-speed rail network in the world, marks a breakthrough for the CR450 technology initiative that was launched three years ago.
The latest model in the Fuxing bullet train series has a test speed of up to 450 km/h and a commercial operational speed of 400 km/h. Current bullet trains in China can travel at 350 km/h, but the CR450 can reduce travel time between Beijing and Shanghai, one of the busiest routes in the country, from over 4 hours to just 2.5 hours.
China launched its first high-speed railway in 2008, and this network plays a vital role in the world’s second-largest economy and its population of 1.4 billion. The CR450 is expected to be operational by 2025, with a nationwide research project focusing on key railway technologies, from automated control and wheel design to steering systems, railway upgrades, and safety measures.
In June 2023, CR completed performance testing of crucial new high-tech components of the CR450, setting a record speed of 453 km/h during a test run. This is the fastest speed in the world, marking a significant milestone in the development process. The test took place on the Maizhou Sea Bridge, part of the high-speed railway network between Fuzhou and Xiamen in Fujian Province.
CR stated that the CR450 will be more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient compared to existing trains in the Fuxing series. A separate study by Chinese scientists concluded that the carbon emissions of high-speed rail are only 6% of that of aviation and 11% of automobiles.
China plans to expand its railway network to 165,000 km by 2025, including 50,000 km of high-speed rail. At the end of last year, the country’s railway network was 159,000 km long, including 45,000 km of high-speed rail. The number of passengers using the national railway network is also expected to increase by 4.7% compared to last year, reaching 3.855 billion by 2024. Meanwhile, the volume of goods transported could reach 3.9 billion tons in 2024, an increase of 0.5% compared to 2023.
