Well, there is a concept which is that we are in a limited world with a limited availability of ressources. This was first discussed by the "Club of Rome" in the '70ies.
https://www.clubofrome.org/One of the actual members, Prof Bradi has a blog where he talks regularely about it.
http://cassandralegacy.blogspot.lu/Even if I don't always agree with what he publishes, I find it worth reading.
If you think with that point of view, you have to wonder if the solution is higher or lower speed. You can reduce the needed energy by reducing the air pressure in a tube, or by a slower travel speed. The problem of reducing the air pressure, is that it takes a lot of energy first to produce the tube, than to keep it under a low pressure.
Somehow, I really wonder how companies like Nestle were able to manage something like 40 factories on 3 continents (I'm not sure of the numbers) before WWII. Go local also means manage locally international companies, trust local people, headquarters don't need to know how each branch manages cleaning teams.
This is a little bit out of topics, but I wonder if the Hyperloop is really a solution or if it is just a waste of ressources. I believe that Internet should reduce the need for travel.
The other example you gave already existed before. Mr Musk is a genius because he is able to find a balance between a market, a product, a technology, a cost model and a dream, just like Mr Ford did with his T car. I'm not sure that this will work with the Hyperloop.
Best regards,
Etienne