Japan just crushed the high speed rail record with a 366 MPH maglev train

By Drew Prindle April 17, 2015

japan breaks train record 366 mph high speed rail — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the past twelve years, Central Japan Railway Company has held the record for fastest maglev train in the world. Back in 2003, the company’s MLX01 train set the bar at 581 kph (361 mph), and for over a decade that record has remained unbeaten. Until now.

This week, the company broke its own record once again. Running on a test track in central Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture, the company’s prototype L0 Series train clocked in at a speed of 590 kph (366 mph). It’s uncertain how long this new record will stand, however. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, a CJRC spokesman said that another test run is scheduled for next week, and engineers speculate that the train could reach speeds of up to 600 kph (373 mph).

Recommended Videos

Related: Tesla’s Elon Musk wants student ‘pod racers’ for his hyperloop test track

These are just preliminary tests though. The Japanese government gave CJRC the green light to start building the train line in October 2014, and it’s not expected to start carrying passengers until 2027. Once it opens for business, the train will only operate at speeds of about 505 kph (313 mph). That’s not quite full throttle, but it’s still pretty damn fast. At those speeds, it’ll be able to ferry passengers from Tokyo to Nagoya (about 220 miles) in about 40 minutes. That’s nuts.

Keep your fingers crossed and we might see trains this fast in the US within the next decade. CJRC is reportedly looking to export its maglev train technology to the States for a line that would connect New York to Washington, DC. The plan is still mostly speculative at this point, but lord knows we need all the help we can get. The US’s high-speed rail system is abysmal compared to that of most other wealthy nations.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…

Emerging Tech

Yamaha offers sales of 60% on e-bikes as it pulls out of U.S. market

Yamaha Pedal Assist ebikes

If you were looking for clues that the post-pandemic e-bike market reshuffle remains in full swing in the U.S., look no further than the latest move by Yamaha.

In a letter to its dealers, the giant Japanese conglomerate announced it will pull out of the e-bike business in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Electrek.

Cars

Rivian offers $3,000 off select EVs to gasoline, hybrid vehicle drivers

Second-Gen Rivian R1S on a road

Early November typically kicks off the run-up to the Black Friday sales season, and this year, Rivian is betting it’s the perfect time to lure gasoline drivers toward its EVs.
If you own or lease a vehicle that runs on gasoline, which means even a hybrid vehicle, Rivian is ready to give you $3,000 off the purchase of one of its select fully electric vehicles -- no trade-in required.
The offer from the Irvine, California-based automaker extends to customers in the U.S. and Canada and runs through November 30, 2024. The program applies to Rivian 2025 R1S or R1T Dual Large, Dual Max, or Tri Max models purchased from R1 Shop.
Rivian’s new All-Electric Upgrade offer marks a change from a previous trade-in program that ran between April and June. There, owners of select 2018 gas-powered vehicles from Ford, Toyota, Jeep, Audi, and BMW could trade in their vehicle and receive up to $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Rivian.
This time, buyers of the R1S or R1T Rivian just need to provide proof of ownership or lease of a gas-powered or hybrid vehicle to receive the discount when they place their order.
Rivian is not going to be the only car maker offering discounts in November. Sluggish car sales from giants such as Stellantis and rising inventories of new cars due to improving supply chains suggest automakers and dealerships will be competing to offer big incentives through the year's end.
This follows several years of constrained supply following the COVID pandemic, which led to higher prices in North America.
According to CarEdge Insights, average selling prices for cars remain above what would be called affordable. But prices should continue improving along with rising inventories.
Stellantis brands are entering November with the most inventory, followed by GM and Ford, according to CarEdge. Toyota and Honda, meanwhile, have the least inventory, meaning they probably won’t be under pressure to offer big incentives.

Cars

AT&T, Voltpost bring internet connectivity to EV charging lampposts

att voltpost streetlight charging newlabdetroit 63

Move over, Supercharger network.

EV charging networks have been fast expanding across U.S. roads and highways over the past year, led by the likes of Electrify America, Tesla, and Chargescape, to name a few.