FAQs

Hyperloop is the fifth means of transport and consists of a system of vehicles (also called “pods”) where passengers or freight are transported through a low-pressure network of tubes. Pods float by magnetic levitation, reaching speeds up to 1.000km/h and reducing travel times drastically. It could be imagined as a subway network, but connecting different cities globally. The system is fully electric and has the potential to decarbonize short-haul passenger and freight intercity routes ranging between 400km (250mi) and 1.500km (930mi).

To make a hyperloop system scalable it is important to reduce the infrastructure cost, which accounts for up to 95% in hyperloop projects. To do so, Zeleros reduces construction costs including the majority of technologies in the vehicle, reducing the use of linear motors and its power electronics to a tiny fraction of the route. Operation and maintenance costs can be reduced using aviation pressure levels instead of space pressure levels. Zeleros’ team has been working on this unique approach since 2015.

Zeleros’ unique approach is based on minimizing infrastructure complexity and offering a straight certification journey, to make hyperloop a reality in the coming decade.  By using aerodynamic propulsion and active levitation technologies included in the pod, Zeleros minimizes the need of linear motor and track electrification and enables operation at aviation pressure levels, cutting the costs of cabin certification by using vastly proven safety systems for mass transport.

Hyperloop systems work based on three key principles: Automated vehicles also called pods (1) travel inside a network of tubes at low-pressure (2), using levitation and propulsion technologies (3). With the combination of these three principles the system can reach ultra high speeds with optimal energy performance, as the ground and air resistance are minimized. Zeleros’ hyperloop technologies minimize infrastructure costs and provide a straight certification journey to accelerate hyperloop path to market.

Global investors and industrial groups investing in Zeleros include: Acciona, Red Electrica de España/Elewit, Capgemini Engineering, CAF Group, EIT InnoEnergy, Road Ventures, Goldacre, Angels Capital, and Silicon Valleys’ Plug and Play Tech Center, among others. If you want to explore investment opportunities, write us at: invest@zeleros.com

Hyperloop requires a multidisciplinary approach as it combines different modes of transport and technologies. To tackle this challenge, Zeleros is working with leading players in the following sectors: aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, high-speed rail operators such as Renfe, rolling-stock manufacturers like CAF Group, infrastructure companies like Acciona, electricity and telecommunications operators like Red Eléctrica de España, energy platforms like EIT Innoenergy, steel suppliers like Arcelormittal, research centers like CIEMAT, universities like Universitat Politècnica de València, or ports like Fundación Valenciaport, among others.

The frictionless environment enables hyperloop systems to reach maximum speeds of up to 1.000km/h (620mph). The average speed of hyperloop will depend on the route layout, but hyperloop could already outperform in travel time most of the intercity connections to-date reaching average speeds above 500km/h (310mph). This positions hyperloop as the fastest and most sustainable solution to cover distances from 400 to 1500km.

Zeleros has received support from the following public institutions: Generalitat Valenciana (IVACE, AVI, IVF), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España (CDTI), Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Acción Cultural Española, Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking, Horizon Europe (European Innovation Council), Eureka Network, European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) via EIT Climate-KIC and EIT Innoenergy.

The idea of a vehicles travelling inside low-pressure tubes was proposed 200 years ago by british inventor George Medhurst. At that time the technology was not ready, but important advances in magnetic levitation, high frequency control, automation, high power electronics, materials, turbomachinery, energy storage systems, telecommunications and pressure equipment (among other technologies) has made it possible to commercialize systems that operate safely and efficiently. Hyperloop combines such proven technologies together and therefore the challenge is now the integration of the technologies. Hyperloop is therefore ready to become a reality now. 

Although there is not yet any hyperloop route in operation, Governments all over the world have already shown interest in the development of hyperloop routes in their regions. Connections like Madrid to Paris in 90 minutes, or Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 15 minutes, Beijing to Shanghai in 2 hours, or Los Angeles to San Francisco in 50 minutes would be examples of some potential routes. If you want to have a hyperloop route in your country, send us an email at: info@zeleros.com

No. Elon Musk popularized tube transport and named it “hyperloop” back in 2013, opensourcing the idea with a document called “Hyperloop Alpha”. His company SpaceX started to organize a series of student competitions in 2015 to accelerate its research, but without a commercial focus. Meanwhile, private hyperloop companies emerged globally. Zeleros’ founders participated in the competition, winning Best Design Concept and Best Propulsion Awards in 2016 in USA, and then created their own company, Zeleros, to bring their unique hyperloop system to market.

A consolidated global hyperloop network of 88.500 km by 2050 could transport 1.457 million passengers each year, 28 million tonnes of freight transported per year, with an economic impact of 271 billion euro annual revenue opportunity and avoiding the emission of 6.288 million tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere during its lifetime.

The price of a hyperloop ticket will depend on many factors. The objective with Zeleros’ scalable approach is to create a mass transport system that will be as affordable as possible, minimizing infrastructure costs: an important parameter that can be controlled in the system design. Pods will be customizable and upgradable, offering a variety of cabin layouts, so operators will be able to satisfy different customer needs (business, tourist, economy, among others) and budgets.

Yes. Like any transport system, hyperloop needs a regulatory framework to operate. Zeleros has worked since 2016 with institutions like the European Commission’s Mobility unit and the hyperloop promoters to create such a regulatory framework in time for commercialization. Zeleros uses technologies already regulated under aviation, railway and other sectors, whose safety has been proven for mass transportation, which accelerates the regulatory processes.

The main technologies that make hyperloop unique are:

1. Tube network: airtight environment inside which hyperloop vehicles travel.
2. Pressure maintenance system: a set of pressure pumps distributed along the tube network extract the air in order to reduce the air resistance and improve performance.
3. Levitation: it elliminates the rolling resistance, vibrations and wheel-track wear of wheeled transport systems expanding its speed limits.
4. Propulsion: it moves the vehicles inside the network of tubes with electric aerodynamic propulsion or electromagnetic systems like linear motors.
5. Driver-less operations: vehicles don’t have a driver and can be controlled from control stations and individually with vehicle automation systems.

Zeleros technologies developed for hyperloop can be applied in the aviation, railway, logistics and energy sectors, among many others. If you are interested to discover how hyperloop technologies can impact and accelerate your business send us an email at: info@zeleros.com

The world’s first hyperloop standardisation committee is the Joint Technical CEN/CENELEC Committee (JTC-20) and it was approved by a majority of European Union’s Member States on February 2020 by proposition of the Spanish Association for Standardization UNE and the Dutch Standardisation agency. The JTC-20 is chaired by Mr. Jaime Tamarit, Spanish expert in physics, electromagnetics and ERTMS systems, and its headquarters are in Brussels. It is the first committee in the world where all stakeholders can work together to set hyperloop standards.

Hyperloop, as any other transport system, will comply with strict regulations, ensuring the maximum level of safety for humans is achieved. Having an airplane environment in this enclosed tube will minimize turbulent effects and external hazards caused by adverse weather conditions or sudden animal crossings. Accelerations will be gradual to reach maximum speed and, once at cruise phase, the levitation system will attenuate vibrations, ensuring a safe and smooth ride.

The combination of the low-pressure environment with the elimination of the ground friction makes hyperloop the most energy-efficient solution for distances between 400km and 1500km, with an energy consumption 5 to 10 times less than a commercial aircraft for the same inland route. The operation of the system is also fully electric, resulting in 0 direct emissions during operation. Finally, adding renewable energy sources along the tube network can offset all energy, completely eliminating its carbon footprint and even becoming a net-positive infrastructure if needed.