The high-speed trains, which reach speeds of up to 1000 km/h in above-ground tunnels, could be running throughout Europe as early as 2030.
From Stuttgart to Amsterdam in just half an hour. Imagine something like that. Sounds incredible and pretty far-fetched, doesn’t it? Well, it could become a reality as early as 2030, and it won’t just be Berlin that will be a day trip destination. The Spanish company Zeleros is planning a network of levitating trains throughout Europe. But how does it all work?
Well, these beauties are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. They’re called Hyperloop trains and instead of running on rails, they float inside tunnels. These tunnels are suspended above the ground at the same time. Passengers then travel in capsule-like carriages. The first tunnels of this type are already being built in the Nordic countries.
As already mentioned, these capsules literally float in the air, using modular electromagnetic units in the capsules themselves. They can reach speeds of up to a thousand kilometers per hour. A driver is not required as the vehicles are computer-controlled. The trains are powered only by electricity and thus cause a minimum of carbon emissions – only those necessary to generate the electricity.
With much of Europe set to become carbon neutral by 2050, the Hyperloop trains could really help bring the continent closer to this goal. What’s more, the prospect of air travel is currently less attractive than ever. Not only is air travel bad for the environment, but it also means queues at security checkpoints and sometimes long waits for connecting flights. These trains could certainly be the future of mobility.