Urban car runs on air

[Fortigurn]

I want one of these. I would love Taipei to enact a law requiring these to be used here by all non-commercial travelers, as opposed to internal combustion engine vehicles.

[nux]

The problem is it has a very low range, and 'refilling' takes quite a long time if you are just using a compressor. But for low range applications its a very good idea, practically no noise, very reliable I'd imagine, and cheap to run (?).

The environmental benefits are not clear cut though, it would depend on how efficient your compressor is at turning electricity into compressed air, and what sort of power plant the actual power came from. I could see an efficient diesel or maybe petrol hybrid being better for the environment than this when powered through an old coal power station (like the majority of Australian power).

[Goth]

Thread title fixed.

[Daft_Munt]

Good point Nuxie1 but you dont take into account the amount of energy used to refine fuel.

[Fortigurn]

Originally Posted by nuxie1

The problem is it has a very low range, and 'refilling' takes quite a long time if you are just using a compressor. But for low range applications its a very good idea, practically no noise, very reliable I'd imagine, and cheap to run (?).

Refuelling takes 2-3 minutes when you're at a station. Yes, if you're doing it at home with the compressor it takes a few hours (so leave it on overnight).

The low range makes it perfect for urban driving. Most people wouldn't cover anywhere near 160km in a single day of driving, let alone 180 miles. These things are fantastic urban vehicles. Using internal combustion engines for urban travel is just plain stupid. Incredibly stupid and wasteful.

The environmental benefits are not clear cut though...

They sure are - you could get 80% of the cars, and all of the scooters, off the inner city streets. These are the major cause of air pollution in Taipei, the kind of air pollution which results in buildings being covered in soot (inside and out), chronic respiratory problems, and eye problems. Not to mention the vast reduction in noise pollution.

...and what sort of power plant the actual power came from.

In Taiwan? Five nuclear power plants. Who knows whose fantastic idea it was to scatter nuclear power plants all over a major earthquake zone.

[HeXa]

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=558655

[Fortigurn]

Originally Posted by HeXa

http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=558655

Oh good grief, what's it doing there?

[nux]

Originally Posted by Fortigurn

In Taiwan? Five nuclear power plants. Who knows whose fantastic idea it was to scatter nuclear power plants all over a major earthquake zone.

Well there you go, makes sense then. However I don't think it is as clear cut in a mainly coal powered country like Australia. How many of these 'stations' are there that can fill it up in 2-3 minutes?

I'm pretty sure someone in Australia invented an efficient compressed air powered car a few years ago.