If this takes off, I wonder what state governments will do for tax revenue? You can compress at home and never visit a gas station again - at least for driving around town.
http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/000129.html
"Negre explains that, in the tanks, the air is both cooled to minus 100 degrees Centigrade and compressed to 4,500 pounds per square inch. Then it’s injected into a small chamber between the tanks and pistons, where it’s heated up by ambient outside air that forces it to expand into a larger chamber situated between the small chamber and the pistons. That heat exchange between the two chambers, he continues, creates the propulsion that drives the up-and-down strokes of the engine’s four pistons."
OH DRAT.
Those pesky details, like keeping the air at minus 100 degree centigrade while it is parked in the hot sun, just keep getting in the way.................. Wonder how much energy would be used by a portable air conditioner hammering away on a tank of air 24/7 trying to keep it from getting above minus 100 degress centigrade and EXPLODING!!!!!!!!!!!!
"If this takes off, I wonder what state governments will do for tax revenue? You can compress at home and never visit a gas station again - at least for driving around town."
I think they get most of their revenues through estate taxes. Although you have point. I'm sure they would still make money from the energy company. While I think the efficiency levels seem to be better with this system...they would still effectively produce more demand from the electricity companies.
In the long-run, they suggest that solar power will be competitive with other forms of energy in 15-20 years. So we're looking at some rather big shifts in whom has the money.
"If this takes off, I wonder what state governments will do for tax revenue?"
The States will increase registration costs and probably require some sort of meter, or GPS tracking device on your vehicle to tax you for your mileage use of State roads.