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One thing I've been wondering is whether is possible to power a ground effect vehicle from overhead wires. That would sort of be like a hover train. The "tracks" would be cheap to build. Just need to compact the ground to a smooth surface.

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The need to constantly produce lift would probably consume a lot of energy.

I think solar energy is enough, at least for small prototypes.

Lift-induced drag goes down with the square of velocity. At high speed, the need to stay aloft doesn't cost you that much.

San Francisco has this. Buses are powered by overhead wires. (because electrified tracks would kill pedestrians)

Lots of places have that, definitely almost nobody has ground-effect vehicles (which would satisfy the 'hover' bit): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-effect_vehicle

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