relying purely on magnetic forces However, this new 'Sky Train' system takes electricity out of the equation, using only magnets composed of rare-earth metals that 'create a constant repelling force [which] can lift a train with 88 passengers and keep it floating even without power,' states South China Morning Post.

A maglev (magnetic levitation) train cannot function without electricity because the very principles that allow it to lift and move depend on electromagnetic forces. Unlike permanent magnets, which have a fixed magnetic field, maglev systems use electromagnets or superconducting magnets that only become magnetized when an electric current flows through them. Electricity is required for three critical functions: levitation, guidance, and propulsion. First, powerful electric currents create the magnetic repulsion or attraction needed to lift the heavy train cars off the guideway. Second, electricity powers the feedback systems that keep the train centered on the track, preventing it from touching the sides. Third, the propulsion system—typically a linear motor integrated into the track—uses a "traveling" magnetic field created by alternating current to pull and push the train forward at high speeds. While the train has no engine of its own, the entire guideway acts as a massive electric motor. Without a constant and massive supply of electrical power, the magnetic fields would collapse, and the train would lose its ability to levitate and move, essentially becoming a stationary object resting on the track.