Virgin Hyperloop unveils location for Hyperloop Certification Center

After years of testing and developing hyperloop technology at its full-scale test site, Virgin Hyperloop (Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.) unveiled on Oct. 8 that West Virginia will be home to the Hyperloop Certification Center (HCC).

“Today is one of the most exciting days in Virgin Hyperloop’s history,” says Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group. “The Hyperloop Certification Center is the start of the hyperloop journey for West Virginia, for the United States and for the world. We’re one step closer to making hyperloop travel a reality for people everywhere.”

Beyond progressing hyperloop on the regulatory and commercial fronts, the company says, the HCC will also create an entirely new ecosystem, creating thousands of new jobs across construction, manufacturing, operations and high-tech sectors.

“West Virginia is at a pivotal moment in time and I believe Virgin Hyperloop has made a strong choice for the location of the new HCC,” says native West Virginian John Chambers, former Executive Chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems (San Jose, Calif., U.S.) and current founder and CEO of JC2 Ventures (Palo Alta, Calif., U.S.). “West Virginia was once the coal and chemical capital of the world, but it failed to disrupt itself and was left behind. Today, every company, country and state needs to have a digital mindset. West Virginia’s renewed focus on innovation to drive inclusive job creation and economic growth will be elevated and brought to life with the development of the HCC. I personally could not be more honored and excited to work with Virgin Hyperloop to bring this transformative technology to the masses.”

According to Virgin Hyperloop, the HCC has received bicameral and bipartisan support at at the local, state and federal government levels, including from Governor Jim Justice, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Representative Carol Miller (R-WV), Representative Alex Mooney (R-WV) and Representative David B. McKinley, P.E. (R-WV).

“Over the last several years, West Virginia’s economy has begun to diversify  into new sectors,” comments Senator Capito. “The announcement that Virgin Hyperloop’s Certification Center and test track will be located right here in our state will help us continue this growth in the knowledge-based economy.”

This announcement builds off of significant progress in the U.S. on the regulatory front. In July 2020, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Elaine Chao and the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technology (NETT) Council unveiled the guidance document on a clear regulatory framework for hyperloop in the United States. This announcement not only provides a pathway for hyperloop regulation and deployment in the US, but also establishes hyperloop’s eligibility for federal funding for projects.

This federal momentum, combined with the advancements at the HCC, says Virgin Hyperloop, will pave the way for the certification of hyperloop systems in the U.S. and around the world — the first step towards commercial projects.

“Particularly as we look to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, it’s clear that we need a 21st century solution that will propel us forward, allowing us to not just rebuild, but actually evolve,” adds Jay Walder, CEO of Virgin Hyperloop. “Hyperloop is that solution, and we look forward to working with our partners across the country — in places like West Virginia, Ohio, Texas, Missouri, Washington and North Carolin— to connect the country from coast to coast.”

Virgin Hyperloop aims to achieve safety certification by 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2030.