By Kristina Beanland

Copyright metro

The hyperloop trains are tested by Hardt Hyperloop, a company based in Rotterdam (Picture: Getty Images)

A number of different providers have tried and failed to develop hyperloop technology over the years.

The futuristic concept – made popular by Elon Musk – is a train-like transport system where passenger pods, or carriages, move through near-vacuum tubes.

The idea is that these trains could move at speeds close to that of air travel, minimising travel distance between cities from hours to minutes.

Various companies have tested hyperloop systems, including Virgin and SpaceX, as well as academics at Edinburgh University, who built the UK’s first test track.

But now, a Dutch tech startup have announced they’ve set a new European speed record, which could see the pods reaching speeds of 435mph.

Hardt Hyperloop, based in Rotterdam, carried out a lane-switching test at the European Hyperloop Centre in Groningen, Netherlands.

Inside the hyperloop tunnel at the European Hyperloop Center testing facility (Picture: Nick Gammon/AFP)

The vehicle reached a speed of 53mph (85kph) as it switched lanes, which would be a crucial feature for any real-world transport system.

The Hyperloop Center, which opened in 2024, has hosted more than 750 tests so far, with Hardt being one of many firms hoping to commercialise hyperloop for paying passengers and goods services in the future.

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Just a year ago, the same track hosted trails of only 30kph, so progress is moving fast – literally.

Co-founder of Hardt, Tim Houter said: ‘We are ready to go for higher speeds — up to 700 kph [435mph] — as soon as the infrastructure so permits.’

Tim says that the length of the testing tube at the Centre means attempting to reach higher speeds currently would be impossible, as the vehicle wouldn’t be able to stop safely.

Further afield, in China, the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) have conducted tests which saw their hyperloop version, the T-flight, reach staggering speeds of 387mph on a 1.24 mile track.

The Hyperloop tunnel where tests take place in the Netherlands (Picture: NICK GAMMON/AFP via Getty Images)

CASIC believe the T-flight could have a full speed of 600mph, which is faster than commercial airplanes.

While the latest European tests are a major milestone in hyperloop technology, the concept is often met with skeptism.

Safety issues are a concern. If the pods were to accidentally depressurise during a journey, the consequences would be the same as if a plane cabin lost pressure, and passengers’ lives would be at risk.

And despite various tests across the world, only one hyperloop test carried passengers, at a top speed of just 100mph.

There’s also the question of the whether the race to achieving a functioning hyperloop train is actually an obstacle in itself.

Jörg Marienhagen, director of Consulting and Business Development at DB Engineering and Consulting, has previously said that ‘various technology providers and promoters are individually addressing distinct aspects of hyperloop technology, leading to parallel efforts in resolving open issues.’

Some of the obstacles include maintaining the vacuum system, capsule propulsion systems, scalability, safety and economic viability among others.

This has resulted in ‘minimal collaboration’ between different providers, PierNext reports – which is also a problem for standardisation and regulation.

Europe by rail

For now, if you want to get to Europe, you’ll have to stick to the Eurostar. But competition is hotting up, with other companies looking to make journeys across the channel. And this Eurostar rival wants journeys from across the UK – not just in London.
Nox, a Berlin-based start-up plans to launch sleeper trains connecting various European cities — for the same price as a plane ticket. The idea is that travellers board in the evening and sleep before arriving at their destination the next morning, and not in couchettes. The cabins will be private, for one or two people.
A new £40 train linking five European countries in one route – for the first time in history – launched earlier this summer, spanning an impressive 745 miles.

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