CRRC Tangshan unveiled the prototype high-speed freight electric multiple unit in December 2020, with top speeds of .
The prototype builds on a temporarily rebuilt CR400BF passenger trainset (used for Alibaba's Single's Day shopping festival in November 2020), with purpose-built 2.9m doors, accommodating two rows of containers with roller floors.
The train's design based on a passenger train resulted in an 85% utility rate for cargo, with 800 m<sup>2</sup> of usable floor space. The train is designed to handle temperatures from -25 to 40 degrees Celsius.
The train was designed using biomimicry to resemble a Chinese sturgeon, which is claimed to reduce air resistance.