Hyperloop projects will be realized in Russia soon, and the country is extremely interested in the new technology, Igor Levitin, an assistant to the Russian President, said on September 6, 2017.

The idea of the hyperloop was conceived in 2012 by an engineer, a businessman, and an investor Elon Musk, who founded such companies as SpaceX and Tesla Motors. The new vehicle will be twice as fast as an airplane and three to four times faster than a high-speed train. The new mode of transportation will be safe and will function on solar energy.

Russia’s Minister of Transportation Maxim Sokolov said earlier that Russia’s first superfast transportation system using hyperloop technologies would cost 30 to 40 billion rubles and will likely be constructed along a rail line segment from China to the Zarubino sea port. The Russian Direct Investment Fund will become a co-investor in the project.

Also, the Summa Group and the government of Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding to create the hyperloop technology in Moscow. The hyperloop vacuum trains would connect the airports in the Russian capital and the New Moscow, a brand new district that would double the size of the city. Summa Group also entertains a project to connect Moscow and St. Petersburg via hyperloop.

“It is necessary that the system pass the required tests to demonstrate its usefulness. Today, the timeframe from implementing new projects has been vastly streamlined,” Mr. Levitin said.  “With our vast territories, hyperloop is definitely important. I think that Russia will be the most interesting place to implement this project. Hyperloop will seriously change the logistics sector,” the presidential aide said. Mr. Levitin earlier held the post of Russia’s Transportation Minister.