Air-Powered Car by Next Summer; No Plans for Release in America
May 30th, 2007Imagine my shock.
Of course, “Air-powered” is somewhat misleading. The compressed air tanks are a battery. Also, the title of the article includes the phrase “Zero Emissions.” Just keep in mind that this is a different way of storing electricity, since that’s what is going to run the compressors. So, it could be emission free if the compressors are running on wind, solar or hydro power. If the compressors are running on coal, this will be a coal powered air car. In France, where most electricity is generated via nuclear power, this would be a nuclear powered air car, etc.
Once the wind turbines are banned in America, perhaps this car will be allowed.
Via: Popular Mechanics:
India’s largest automaker is set to start producing the world’s first commercial air-powered vehicle. The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine’s pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets in August of 2008.
Barring any last-minute design changes on the way to production, the Air Car should be surprisingly practical. The $12,700 CityCAT, one of a handful of planned Air Car models, can hit 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor units; MDI says it should cost around $2 to fill the car’s carbon-fiber tanks with 340 liters of air at 4350 psi. Drivers also will be able to plug into the electrical grid and use the car’s built-in compressor to refill the tanks in about 4 hours.
Of course, the Air Car will likely never hit American shores, especially considering its all-glue construction. But that doesn’t mean the major automakers can write it off as a bizarre Indian experiment — MDI has signed deals to bring its design to 12 more countries, including Germany, Israel and South Africa.
“340 liters of air at 4350 psi”
I’m not an engineer, but wouldn’t a tank rupture basically turn this car into a carbon-fiber claymore mine? Not that gasoline is particularly safe, but I for one would not want to be sitting next to one of these at a stop light when some cell-phone-using jackweed in an Excursion rear-ends it…
And somewhat related, about that 1-liter car from VW… I seem to remember from high school chemistry class that Mg burns quite nicely once ignited. What’s to keep the thing from turning into a 600+ lb. sparkler in a fiery crash?
I know – let’s use hydrogen! Hindenburg, anyone?
Unfortunately Homo Americanus MUST drive to survive, so I guess we’re stuck with a little risk no matter what the “solution”.
By this point, I can almost anticipate the comments on stories like this.
I actually thought, “Someone is going to make a ‘rolling bomb’ comment about this.”
Anyway:
http://www.theaircar.com/faq.html#p7
Much safer than your gasoline powered claymore mine.
Sounds like jmhpolar should probably never leave his house. Compression tanks have been used for years on end for all kinds of reasons. If you have a compressor in your house, you need look no further. I just wish they would offer this car in the USA. I don’t think it’s particularly attractive, but for the sake of eliminating oil consumption, I would certainly drive it.
For every person that thinks that this and electric cars pollute more than petrol cars, remember, it’s take two barrels of oil to extract every barrel of oil we use! Then the car burns fuel as well. Now that’s way more pollution than we need.
Having lived in Europe, and Japan, I’ve seen many “micro” cars and something like this would be very welcome. I don’t understand the bit about “glue construction” but considering the materials used in autos nowadays its not any worse. I applaud their efforts anyways.
Richard said: “For every person that thinks that this and electric cars pollute more than petrol cars, remember, it’s take two barrels of oil to extract every barrel of oil we use!”
Bullsh*t, Richard. Did you just fall off the turnip truck? EROEI (that’s energy returned on energy invested) for petroleum extraction ranges from 15 to 1 (stripper well) to over 100 to 1 (fresh gusher). Do some actual research before spouting complete rubbish next time. Visit The Oil Drum or Energy Bulletin sometime, or Matt Savinar’s excellent LATOC website.