That is good news. Trucks are congesting Europe's streets and long-distance cargo should be transported preferably via train.
This is also interesting and should be applied on a wider scale: http://www.cargobeamer.eu/
This is also interesting and should be applied on a wider scale: http://www.cargobeamer.eu/
Having said that, trains have last-mile weakness. Trucks are congesting Europe's highways mostly. Wait until you see a train arrive to a terminal not far from city center, dozens of smaller trucks rush to get their cargo. At least trucks can arrive to their own depots located on the outskirts, while anybody who wants to ship by rail has to come to the same common terminal.
It's far from a silver bullet.
> Having said that, trains have last-mile weakness.
That LAST-Mile weakness will be fixed by 2030 when we have Autonomous Trucks doing hand holding of "Standard size container boxes" TO and FROM a TRAIN in an automated way .
This is exactly where an electric truck might come in handy.
>At least trucks can arrive to their own depots located on the outskirts
All cargolifter terminals will be far outside of a major city. An exception might be harbors.
Then you have the problem of last mile again and see a lot of trucks on street.
Building that Tunnels is expensive, that is what Elon Musk BORING company is experimenting with .