Electric Car? How about a Compressed Air Car?

In article .com,
Dave wrote:
The advantages would appear to be adequate power and range
for urban/suburban use - and zero pollution (not counting the
pollution generated in the process of compressing the air in the first
place). Such vehicles could be "recharged" by compressors overnight -
when surplus electric power is available. Downsides? High pressure
compressors are expensive, and require lots of power to operate. Not
to mention the fact that any high pressure tank is a potential bomb.
OTOH such tanks are in common use, such as SCUBA tanks and paintball
tanks - found everywhere.

Comments?

More drain on the world's supply of both balonium and unobtainium.

You can't store enough compressed air to make it practical -- perhaps
they use a very long air hose?

"Orval Fairbairn" wrote in message
news
You can't store enough compressed air to make it practical -- perhaps
they use a very long air hose?

No... it has an optional gas-powered kicker motor that also recompresses
the carbon-fiber air tanks. Just caught something about it on television
the other day. Plus, it's loud as hell; sounds like somebody's driving an
air compressor.

-c

No. it has an optional gas-powered kicker motor that also recompresses
the carbon-fiber air tanks. Just caught something about it on television
the other day. Plus, it's loud as hell; sounds like somebody's driving an
air compressor.

Noisy they are. I have been around air tuggers (large winches) in
marine operations, and also air starters for diesels. Deafening.

David Johnson

More drain on the world's supply of both balonium and unobtainium.

You can't store enough compressed air to make it practical -- perhaps
they use a very long air hose?

The claimed range was (IIRC) something on the order of 40 miles - and
they said it would do 70 Mph. To me that makes for a practical urban
vehicle, whereas most of the electrics are not.
As others have said, what is needed is a thorough test by the
automotive Press. We'll see.

David Johnson

"Dave" wrote

The claimed range was (IIRC) something on the order of 40 miles - and
they said it would do 70 Mph. To me that makes for a practical urban
vehicle, whereas most of the electrics are not.
As others have said, what is needed is a thorough test by the
automotive Press. We'll see.

We'll see, indeed. The tank must be the size of an eighteen wheeler.

They should also publish how much energy it takes to pump up the tank. I
would expect to see unbelievably high numbers, if they are being honest.
--
Jim in NC