Why California Can’t Be Home to the Hyperloop
18th August 2013
In theory, Elon Musk’s Hyperloop may be able to get people from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes.
In reality, the layover the project will take in Sacramento could delay that trip for decades.
The Hyperloop, the so-called “fifth way” of transportation unveiled by famed entrepreneur Musk on Monday, is an exciting idea, one that is filled with possibilities. Using air-cushioned aluminum tubes, he hopes to create a pod system for just $10 billion. The pods, powered by solar energy, would travel at upwards of 700 mph and make the trip in 30 minutes. On paper, Musk at least says it is workable from a scientific perspective.
But physics may be the least of Musk’s problems. His home state is a bigger issue.
California is widely considered to be a brutal regulatory environment. A survey of business leaders polled by Chief Executive magazine ranked California the worst place to do business. Why? For all the reasons that bode poorly for the Hyperloop. The state received half a star out of five for regulatory environment.