World's 1st carbon fiber train sets off in China

January 13, 2025

The world’s first carbon fiber passenger train, the CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express, has now officially entered service in China. Operating on Metro Line 1 in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, the train began transporting passengers on Friday (January 10).

Independently developed by Chinese companies, the CETROVO 1.0 marks a groundbreaking revolution in train technology. Its load-bearing structures (like the body and bogie frames) are primarily made of carbon fiber, making it lighter and more fuel-efficient than traditional all-metal trains.

The Metro Line 1 is a 37.2-mile stretch of railway with 41 stations and serves as a major north-south backbone line in Qingdao. According to the train’s developer CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co, CETROVO 1.0 is around 11% lighter than traditional trains of the same size.

The train can operate using 7% less energy due to its leaner weight. This translates into savings in carbon dioxide emissions of somewhere in the order of 130 tons every year. According to Chinese media, that is about the same as planting 6.7 hectares (100 acres) worth of trees.

Carbon fiber trains: lighter and stronger

Carbon fibers are thin, strong crystalline carbon filaments. These filaments are essential chains of bonded carbon atoms that can be shaped into various forms. Their durable stiffness and high tensile strength makes carbon fibers ideal for manufacturing vehicular bodies or other structural elements.

The CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express will not only play a vital role in meeting China’s mass transportation needs but will also help reduce emissions associated with train travel in the country.

However, the train’s benefits are not limited to its improved efficiency and long-term sustainability. Carbon fiber is, pound-for-pound, about five times stronger than steel. It only weighs around 25% of the mass of steel, making it an excellent choice for lightweight rail vehicles.

Carbon fiber trains are relatively more robust than steel ones, providing excellent impact resistance and extended structural lifespan. They also come with the added advantage of reduced vibration, resulting in a smoother, quieter ride for passengers.

Light at the end of the tunnel

Development of the CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Express commenced in 2021. After years of research and development, the train finally underwent testing between July and December of 2024. In June of 2024, the train was able to reach speeds of 87 mph (140 kph). That exceeded the current average speed of 49.7 mph (80 kph) for Chinese metro trains.