The Air Car - zero pollution and very low running costs

Gizmag ^ | 3-19-07 | Gizmag

[Tarpon]

Yep, those Pixies and some hamsters.

All these zero pollution solutions fall apart when you look behind the curtain. It takes less overall fuel to build and drive a hummer than it does to build and drive a hybrid -- But you feel better driving a hybrid I hear.

[HangnJudge]

I'd say we'll see how it runs through commercialization

Agree

[appeal2]

Aren't they the world's leading manufacturer of air guitars.

[weaponeer]

27.4 kW * 12.5 hours = 343 kW-h.

Any idea how much air at what pressure it would take to store that much energy as compressed air? I'm not sure of the conversion factors or the efficiency, but I envision a pretty big high pressure tank.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Your calculations seem to be based on the force required for acceleration, rather than the force required to keep the vehicle moving.

[Nuc1]

Very interesting. I tried to get to gizmag via the link but couldn't get it to load. With that exhaust temp, summer AC is probably a cinch. I wonder about winter heat. Just curious I know it would be taken care of in a production car. At 6'4" 300 lbs I wonder if I would fit? For the right price I would consider it for a go to work / shopping vehicle. With the money I save I could build that Cobra I want.

[weaponeer]

Once accelerated to speed, the energy to keep it moving would be related to speed (drag) and weight/rolling resistance, would it not?

[bikerMD]

Engineers and scientists in Bangdadash released their beta design for the AIR plane, anticpated to use virtually no fuel. It's ultra light weight and needs little landing space. (;^D)

[HangnJudge]

Probably the vast majority of people in India are short of 6'4", 300#

[rlmorel]

Wow. You aren't kidding. I live in Massachusetts, and we have the reputation of being the worst, but those NJ and NY drivers ARE the worst.

I drove down to the Gathering of Eagles, and we saw dozens of accidents last Friday. Just outrageous.

[delacoert]

Made by Tata motors, India's largest car maker

Tata is just another word for boob - seems appropriate somehow.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Does it look like a big balloon car?

[HangnJudge]

Cool, I want one

[SauronOfMordor]

Let this get into 1 accident and buy a new one.

Given the amount of pressure in the compressed air tank, anything that put a crack in the tank will mean replacing the car, the driver, the passengers, and pretty-much anything within a block of the resulting bang

[dynachrome]

"make use of off-peak electricity"
Wouldn't remain off peak for long!

[Nuc1]

Probably so. I always seem to be on the wrong side of the curve. :D)

[HangnJudge]

Any idea how much air at what pressure it would take to store that much energy as compressed air?

300 bars of compressed air stored on board the vehicle

[Political Junkie Too]

Couple the Air Car with these Micro Turbines from Hong Kong, and they might be onto something.

-PJ

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

Mass is important for stop and go driving -- which would involve repeated accelerations. Drag would be the biggest factor otherwise -- how much drag would depend on the coefficient of drag. The more aerodynamic the shape, the less energy required.

[HangnJudge]

I resemble that remark

5'10, 230#