Maglev Train Market

The global maglev train market is expected to be valued $2.7 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach $5.6 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2035.

The term maglev is derived from ‘magnetic levitation’. Maglev trains work on the principle of electromagnetic propulsion, wherein the cars are suspended, guided, and propelled using powerful magnets. The maglev train system has three important components – the power source, the track referred to as the ‘guideway’, and the gigantic magnets that are attached to the cars/track. The guideway is made up of magnetized coils, which repel the magnets that are attached beneath the cars and makes them levitate around 0.39 to 3.93 inches above the guideway. When the power is sent to these coils, it results in the formation of a unique magnetic field, which, in turn, moves the maglev.

The COVID-19 crisis created uncertainty in the maglev train market. Governments of different regions announced total lockdown and temporarily shutdown of industries, thereby adversely affecting the overall production and sales. Following the directions of the World Health Organization (WHO) for minimizing the spread of the virus, governments of various countries have set up lockdown and trade restrictions, which has disrupted the exports, especially from China, causing large scale manufacturing interruptions across Europe, and the closure of assembly plants in the U.S. The situation introduced intense pressure on the rolling stock industry. The railway department has shut down all the passenger train services and has limited its freight transport services with a reduction in demand for commodities and disturbed supply chain. In addition, the leading market players are taking various measures to deal with the negative effects of the outbreak of COVID-19. For instance, in 2020, Japan revealed its plans to conduct tests of a new prototype maglev train. Further, government authorities, and operators are expected to accelerate and resume maglev projects which were halted and expansion of the rail network after pandemic, which is anticipated to positively affect the growth of the maglev train industry in post pandemic situation.

At present, various countries are focusing on development, testing, and adoption of maglev train technology to hit greater speeds than conventional locomotives, and with less noise and vibration. For instance, in June 2021, Max Bögl Group launched its Transrapid, a high-speed maglev train after working for several years. The engine of this train is rolled out as a copper cable over the entire route and is fully automated and completely integrated into the vehicles and the stretch of track. Also, in 2020, Japan revealed its plans to perform tests of a new prototype of the maglev train in accordance with its ambitious maglev line project, whereas China is expected to significantly expand the network of maglev trains. Therefore, in line with its aim to enhance the maglev train network, China is laying tracks across the Hubei province to test trains running with speeds as high as 1,000 km/h.

The factors such as rise in demand for secure, safer, and efficient transport system, increase in the allocation of budget for development of railways, and rise in use of public transport services as a solution to minimize traffic congestion supplement the growth of the maglev train market. However, high capital requirement and refurbishment of existing rails are the factors expected to hamper the growth of the market. In addition, improvement in railway infrastructure in developing countries and increase in development & testing of maglev trains creates market opportunities for the key players operating in the maglev train industry.

The maglev train market is segmented into type, technology, application, top speed, and region. By type, the market is divided into normal conducting magnetic levitation and superconducting maglevs. By technology, it is fragmented into electromagnetic suspension (EMS), electro-dynamic suspension (EDS), and inductrack system (permanent magnet passive suspension). By application, it is categorized into passenger and freight. By top speed, it is further classified into low, medium, and high. By region, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

The leading players operating in the maglev train market are Agile Setu Mobility Private Limited, Alstom, American Maglev Technology Inc., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Central Japan Railway Company, CRRC Corporation Limited, East Japan Railway Company, Hitachi Ltd., Hyundai Rotem Company, IHI Corporation, Max Bögl, Medha Servo Drives Private Limited, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, Northeast Maglev, Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd., SwissRapide AG, and WSP.

Rise in demand for secure, safer, and efficient transport system

According to the fact sheet of the World Health Organization (WHO), road traffic injuries are the leading cause of fatality among people aged between 15 and 29 years, thus accounting for 1.25 million deaths every year due to road accidents. In addition, 90% of the world's fatalities on roads occur in low and middle economical countries, though such countries have approximately 54% of the world's vehicles. Therefore, rise in need for safe, secure, and efficient transportation system significantly contributes toward the growth of the global maglev train market. Railway transportation is considered as the safest and economical mode of transportation, which has boosted the demand for railways. Maglev trains have less chances of rail fatalities, owing to deployment of upgraded technologies such as communication-based train control (CBTC), European railway traffic management system (ETRMS), and more. In addition, maglev trains consume less energy due to better acceleration, traction, and braking system, resulting in reduction of energy consumption by around 30% based on the degree of automation. Furthermore, such trains can provide a flexible way to coordinate in terms of frequency, which results in the improvement of the system performance in all aspects, which is boosting the growth of the market.

Rise in use of public transport services as a solution to minimize traffic congestion

Over the past few years, the population rate has increased the sales of private vehicles such as bikes, passenger cars, and more across the globe, thus leading to traffic congestion on roads. Meanwhile, people are increasingly opting for public transports as it reduces on-road congestion and provides a timesaving, comfortable and economical mode of transportation. Hence, factors such as rise in vehicle emissions, increase in safety concern, and greater demand for faster commutes has increased the preference of individuals for rail transport. Moreover, various railway authorities across the world are also working toward expanding the rail networks and investing in developing high-speed trains to meet the growing demand for public transport. For instance, in April 2020, Hitachi Ltd. launched its streamlined version of the series LO maglev test train which it is building for JR Central. The new test train have an end car and an intermediate coach, which is coupled to existing L0 intermediate coaches to make five or seven car consists for the tests. JR Central plans to start testing the new train on the Yamanashi maglev test line in May 2020. Furthermore, urban planners and local governments are merging rapid transit networks and tramways with the existing city infrastructure. Thus, the rise in use of public transport services as a solution to minimize traffic congestion fuels the maglev train market growth.   

High capital requirement

The increase in preference toward railway transport is leading to a high demand for these rolling stocks and related infrastructure in recent years. Also, the rise in urban traffic congestion and problems related to it are the major reasons for the shift in the rapid urban transit networks such as metro, monorails, maglev trains, and trams. In addition, the development in rail infrastructure, inexpensive fares, environment friendly, and faster mode of transport are the factors that increase penetration in the global maglev train market. However, maglev trains need to be periodically overhauled to ensure its reliability. This includes maintenance of electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic components of the train. Also, regular maintenance and overhaul of maglev train are highly expensive. This indicates the requirement of high capital to build as well as to maintain the train network, which is expected to hamper the market growth.

Improvement in railway infrastructure in developing countries

Rolling stock infrastructure within a country increases the speed and efficiency of railway systems for freight and passenger transportation. In addition, the implementation of maglev trains requires to be backed up by a large investment. Governments of developing countries are investing significantly to meet the latest technology setups required for maglev trains. For instance, in China, the Zhejiang provincial government announced in April 2020 to build a maglev train connecting Shanghai with Ningbo via Hangzhou. Moreover, in September 2020, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SwissRapide AG to develop maglev train infrastructure in India. This is anticipated to offer numerous opportunities for train automation players operating in the country. Hence, such improvements in developing countries are opportunistic for maglev train market expansion.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

• This study presents analytical depiction of the global maglev train market analysis along with current trends and future estimations to depict imminent investment pockets.
• The overall maglev train market opportunity is determined by understanding profitable trends to gain a stronger foothold.
• The report presents information related to the key drivers, restraints, and opportunities of the global maglev train market with a detailed impact analysis.
• The current maglev train market is quantitatively analyzed from 2025 to 2035 to benchmark the financial competency.
• Porter’s five forces analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers and suppliers in the industry.

 Maglev Train Market Report Highlights