An Air-Powered Car

[ryco]

Anybody see this article from PopMech? Says it should be out this summer.

new car

As interesting as the car are the reader viewpoints.
If it needs to run on hot air TB/OT could supply the demand

[RWP]

Whether it is compressed air, gas or electric it all boils down to total system efficiency. The compressors that fill the air tanks require fossil fuels to run unless they are solar. However, I can see where the air tank would be much more cost effective than batteries, less expensive and much longer cycle life. It doesn't say but I would assume the 'engine' would shift to compressor mode to slow the car and replenish the compressed air tank. Seems pretty cool!

But what is this about an 'all-glue' construction?

[FL Knifemaker]

With my new *)@(#$ diabetic diet I'm on, I could use one that runs on methane

[Lalabadie]

Originally Posted by RWP

Whether it is compressed air, gas or electric it all boils down to total system efficiency. The compressors that fill the air tanks require fossil fuels to run unless they are solar.

Or hydroelectric

[peterbright]

I can see it...go to Taco Bell...eat refried beans...collect the methane...compress it & boy would it stink up the road.

[Ericman197]

It all boils down to whether the alternative fuel source is more, or less efficient than standard lead acid, LiIon, NiMh, NiCad, or other battery source that can be used to power an electric car. I have my doubts, but hey... if the air compressor idea turns out to work better than batteries, sounds great. The big advantage with compressed air is that it doesn't have all of the environmental problems that batteries have. Like most alternative fuel sources (hydrogen for example), it is probably no better for the environment than just burning the gas. But who knows.

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by RWP

But what is this about an 'all-glue' construction?

Yeah, that had me scratching my head a bit, but then again, the last gen of Trans Ams and Camaro convertibles had alot of glue stiffenning up all the uniframe stress points, and I don't think those areas failed in use, per se...so maybe it would be structurally sound... I dunno. I wonder what the chassis comprised of...metal? resins? both? curious.

[Ericman197]

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

Yeah, that had me scratching my head a bit, but then again, the last gen of Trans Ams and Camaro convertibles had alot of glue stiffenning up all the uniframe stress points, and I don't think those areas failed in use, per se...so maybe it would be structurally sound... I dunno. I wonder what the chassis comprised of...metal? resins? both? curious.

Well it's an Indian car, so they don't have very strict safety regulations. Especially not for cars with a low top speed. The TaTa something or other for example had a top speed of 45 or 50 and was about as unsafe as a T bucket, but it's street legal there.

[Jerose]

I think they're perfect for what they're being used for. City-based public transportation is the best way to start introducing these things, IMO. Think of the amount of pollution you would prevent by replacing all the taxi cabs and buses in NYC (or in this case, a large city in India) for just a single day.

[ryco]

Originally Posted by peterbright

I can see it...go to Taco Bell...eat refried beans...collect the methane...compress it & boy would it stink up the road.

Dood - we're trying to cut down on pollution! Get with the program here!! Or it's even more laps 4 u!!

How 'bout those diesel retro fits that run on used fat fryer grease from restaurants?
Buddy of mine has retrofitted his work truck and it smells like fries -- I kid you not.
"Could I have some ketchup with that fill-up?"

[Asa Samuel]

Would you be able to hook-up like an exercise bike to an air compressor? then you could get exercise while re-fuelling your car.

[Aaiieeee]

If you can fill this up at home as it says, wouldn't that mean there would be no tax on on fuel and the government would lose a shedload of money? If this car wouldn't make money for anyone other than the driver, I wonder if it would catch on?

[gold_member_321]

seems very impractical.

[tplyons]

4350 psi is absurd. If one of those carbon fiber tanks blew (which I know is very unlikely), there goes the car. It could be the Pinto all over again.

Likewise, that would take one hell of a compressor that I don't think can be used at home.

[JansenW]

Originally Posted by ryco

Anybody see this article from PopMech? Says it should be out this summer.

new car

As interesting as the car are the reader viewpoints.
If it needs to run on hot air TB/OT could supply the demand

Would the air tanks be safe in a crash? Wouldn't want to see glue-cars launching into space...

BTW... TB runs on GAS, hot air is just a by product.

[RWP]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Would you be able to hook-up like an exercise bike to an air compressor? then you could get exercise while re-fuelling your car.

Yeah, but you would have to pump for a week just to get to 7-11.

[Lalabadie]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Would you be able to hook-up like an exercise bike to an air compressor? then you could get exercise while re-fuelling your car.

Considering the pressure in the tank, it would send your legs spinning the wrong way at an astonishing speed

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by tplyons

4350 psi is absurd. If one of those carbon fiber tanks blew (which I know is very unlikely), there goes the car. It could be the Pinto all over again.

Likewise, that would take one hell of a compressor that I don't think can be used at home.

The article said the built-in compressor could be refilled at home in four hours.

[ADbassman]

Originally Posted by tplyons

4350 psi is absurd. If one of those carbon fiber tanks blew (which I know is very unlikely), there goes the car. It could be the Pinto all over again.

+1

4350 psi is pretty ludacris.

I bet car manufacturers would sell a lot more hybrid vehicles if they actually made them look like real cars.

[SuperDuck]

Though there are some kinks that could probably stand to be worked on, it's a pretty neat concept.