03-17-2013, 05:35 PM
The compressed air cars were in the test stage when we retired...Popular Mech came out with this article a couple of years later, highlighting the the "Air Car" - they do have a few reservations on this concept hitting US markets...esp this version:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/new...pt/4217016
The biggest 2 stumbling blocks here that I can think of are:
1. the need for more infrastructure (already some areas have here have multi-fuels for different vehicles, a sparse smattering of electrical refuel stations, compressed air would need refueling networks...which is real estate & equipment, along with the development & SALES of the vehicle - probably the biggest stumbling bloCk because..) &
2. the resistance to changing the way things are done here (here is general...but how many car dealerships on THIS island are selling new electric vehicles, even though there is market interest here (Leaf had a few pre-orders from this island & the local dealer refused to offer them & to get an electric Ford, you also have to go off island)... totally insane to have the state & feds giving incentives & the local dealerships blocking access... but that is the way it is here...
If you were to design an all new transport world, then I really do like the Comp Air model, esp as an energy "battery"- It would be neat if some of the areas scraped away by recent floods would have to install ideas like this...but reason #2 will probably still rule...
(the environmental equations are soo borderline... if you NEED a new car, then reducing carbon fossil fuels is better... some are surprised that a total carbon equation places hybrid vehicles behind lower milage vehicles as a hybrid has 2 separate power generations systems - BOTH an engine & a motor - are not as carbon friendly in manufacture & maintenance as a vehicle with one OR the other.... then there is the carbon cost of installing new infrastructure...& the cost of motivating the populace....it really does get complicated...)
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/new...pt/4217016
The biggest 2 stumbling blocks here that I can think of are:
1. the need for more infrastructure (already some areas have here have multi-fuels for different vehicles, a sparse smattering of electrical refuel stations, compressed air would need refueling networks...which is real estate & equipment, along with the development & SALES of the vehicle - probably the biggest stumbling bloCk because..) &
2. the resistance to changing the way things are done here (here is general...but how many car dealerships on THIS island are selling new electric vehicles, even though there is market interest here (Leaf had a few pre-orders from this island & the local dealer refused to offer them & to get an electric Ford, you also have to go off island)... totally insane to have the state & feds giving incentives & the local dealerships blocking access... but that is the way it is here...
If you were to design an all new transport world, then I really do like the Comp Air model, esp as an energy "battery"- It would be neat if some of the areas scraped away by recent floods would have to install ideas like this...but reason #2 will probably still rule...
(the environmental equations are soo borderline... if you NEED a new car, then reducing carbon fossil fuels is better... some are surprised that a total carbon equation places hybrid vehicles behind lower milage vehicles as a hybrid has 2 separate power generations systems - BOTH an engine & a motor - are not as carbon friendly in manufacture & maintenance as a vehicle with one OR the other.... then there is the carbon cost of installing new infrastructure...& the cost of motivating the populace....it really does get complicated...)