Your next car?

[Mr_Incredible]

The reasons this car won't work are the same as the reasons all the other green cars won't work...American's don't want them and won't buy them when they're offered.

Americans want power to get around big, slow trucks. They want large interiors to hold all the kids, groceries, and stuff from Home Depot. And, they want BIG to make it safe in an accident and comfortable traveling across America on their vacations.

All the little zingy cars are just for the lunatic fringe and will remain so forever. Perhaps they'll creep across certain demographics, but they'll never take over unless forced upon us by government.

 

[javacontour]

However, I think this will work in the initial setting we saw in the video, such as a warehouse.

No fumes, no heavy batteries. One could make them as fork lifts and other such equipment used there.

I could see them on aircraft carriers, used to move munitions around, in airports to move baggage. Basically places with a limited scope of operations, rather than on the open road.

 

[jsharp]

Common air motors and air compressors are none too efficient. In industry the rule of thumb is - 5HP at the compressor will give you 1HP at the tool. So, there must be some real efficiency magic here with the air motor and compressor components.

Go ahead, call me a skeptic...

 

[MikeR]

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Three compressed air tanks with 300 bar pressure? I'm Rocket-Man, wheeeee!

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I think the danger of compressed air in these vehicles is overestimated. Scuba divers work around (and strap on) 300 bar air tanks all the time.

In any case, is it more dangerous than a tank full of gasoline or gasoline fumes?

It is an interesting concept, but I'm not sure about the efficiency. You think it sounds like a Tomy Air Jammer Road Rammer?

 

[XS650]

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Its a neat idea but I doubt it will ever fly.

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Sure it will, the first time it gets hit and breaks the end off a compressed air tank.

 

[XS650]

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Im sure the big oil companies will spend millions trying to buy the patent for it. They cant have cars that get 2800 miles to one tank of fuel running around!

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Then they will store them all on the back side of the moon with the 150mpg carburettors and all the other miracle engines they have bought up in the past.

 

[Shannow]

cycle efficiency (coal to distance traveled) is atrocious, much like the "hydrogen economy".

and 2800 miles to an air tanks and fuel tank is entirely achievable with a 60 gallon fuel tank.

 

[oilyriser]

Think outside the box - car/submarine. There's probably enough air in the tank to breathe for days. Maybe coal mines could use these air motors as a power source and emergency air supply. In fact, they *could* be used on the far side of the moon...

 

[Steve S]

There is no free ride.