Electric Car? How about a Compressed Air Car?

On 14 Nov 2007 03:59:17 GMT, James Robinson wrote:

Dave wrote:

Comments?

- Both the compression of air and the use of air motors are extremely
inefficient, with the compression/expansion cycle perhaps only 1/2 the
efficiency of a typical gasoline engine. The effect of that on nationwide
energy consumption should be obvious.

- Air compressors that work above about 200 psi are very expensive.

- You can't store enough energy in a reasonably-sized tank to be effective.
For example, if you assume a 15 gallon tank, with 200 psi air pressure, you
can accelerate a medium-sized car to about 25 mph, once. Yes, if you use a
higher pressure you will get more work, but you have a long way to go to
get the equivalent energy stored in a tank of gasoline.

Or even approach the energy stored in the electric car's battery.

Roger (K8RI)