Electromobility’s Emerging Landscape in Latin America
This month, a special feature delves into the burgeoning electromobility sector in Mexico and Latin America—a field that remains in its infancy compared to the advancements seen in Europe and East Asia, particularly in China. In a remarkably short span, China has established itself as a pivotal player across nearly every segment of the supply chain. The discourse surrounding electromobility is but a facet of a broader dialogue on transport alternatives to internal combustion vehicles. To facilitate a transition away from fossil fuels in transportation, it is essential not only to explore electric vehicle options but also to invest in and develop other technologies that harness ‘clean’ or renewable energy sources. Furthermore, exploring their applicability in public transport rather than solely in personal vehicles could yield significant benefits.
China’s Innovations in Public Transport
In the ongoing discussion about new technologies in public transport, China once again takes centre stage, showcasing its innovations while Latin America observes from the sidelines. Noteworthy among these advancements are trains featuring maglev technology, which exemplify China’s achievements in this arena. In December 2025, the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei reported a remarkable feat: a maglev train weighing approximately 1,110 kilograms accelerated from a standstill to 800 kilometres per hour in just 5.3 seconds. Following its peak speed, the train required slightly over 200 metres to decelerate and come to a safe stop on a 1-kilometre track.
This marked the third occasion in six months that this laboratory set a new world record, having initially reached 650 kilometres per hour on June 16, 2025, followed by 700 kilometres per hour on July 14, and culminating with the latest achievement of 800 kilometres per hour in December.
Potential Travel Time Redefined
If such a train were operational in Mexico, it would enable a journey from Mexico City to Monterrey in under an hour, given the straight-line distance of approximately 710 km between these two cities. This speed would surpass that of a direct flight, which typically takes around one hour and 40 minutes. However, it is important to consider that travelling at such velocities would not offer a particularly comfortable experience. Accelerating from zero to 800 kilometres per hour in just 5.3 seconds would subject passengers to a force of 4.2 g, equivalent to 4.2 times the force of Earth’s gravity. For an adult weighing approximately 70 kg, this would translate to feeling as though they were bearing an additional 294 kg for the duration of the acceleration. Is arriving at your destination that quickly worth such an experience?
Understanding Maglev Technology
It is crucial to clarify that a maglev train is not a conventional wheeled train. The term ‘maglev’ stands for magnetic levitation, indicating that the train hovers above the track through magnetic fields and is propelled forward by an electromagnetic propulsion system. By virtually eliminating physical contact between the train and the track, mechanical friction is significantly reduced, allowing for speeds that surpass those of any other train type, although air resistance remains a significant factor at such high velocities.
In the context of the transition away from fossil fuels, maglev trains do not produce direct emissions during operation, as they run on electricity rather than petrol or diesel. However, it is essential to consider the indirect emissions that may arise from the electricity production methods and the materials and energy used in constructing the required infrastructure.
Breaking Records in High-Speed Travel
The focus of these ambitious experiments is not merely to construct a train capable of reaching 800 kilometres per hour but to demonstrate the feasibility of magnetically accelerating a 1.1-tonne vehicle to such speeds in a mere 5.3 seconds. This effort aims to push the boundaries of high-speed electromagnetic propulsion technology, with potential applications extending to military aircraft take-offs or missile launches.
It is also worth noting that these records were achieved using a small experimental vehicle on a test track. In fact, the world record for the fastest full-sized maglev train is held by Japan. According to Guinness World Records, the L0 Series Maglev achieved a speed of 603 km/h during a test on April 21, 2015. While this was another experimental trial, the Shanghai Maglev in China holds the title for the fastest commercial train, operating at speeds of up to 431 km/h. In contrast, the fastest train currently in operation in Mexico is the Tren Maya, which has a maximum operational speed of 160 km/h, although its average speed typically falls below this figure.
As of now, only China, Japan, and South Korea have developed the necessary infrastructure to operate maglev trains with passengers.