Are there other alternate fuel cars coming to market (i.e.: Compressed Air)?

Question

I had read about a car that uses compressed air as its fuel. It can run at 70 MPH with a range of 170 miles before you need to plug it into a compressor to recharge the air tanks.

Answer 1

Air cars are the most efficient approach. To state that they aren't a choice because they would be too light a frame then why do they sell motorcycles or scooters which have even less structure to them! The tanks are safe to use because in the event of a crash the tanks are designed not to explode and all that would be released is air not explosive or flammable fuel to worsen the event! With advanced engine design the thermal differences can be used to advantage and become even more efficient. With additional solar photovoltaic's applied the vehicle could refuel itself when left unused with a light source available! They actually produce negative air pollution as they are being used! They clean the air and make it better unlike every other vehicle in use! They would displace expensive and dirty drilling sites,refineries, oil and gas tank storage farms,and the need for oil pipelines and tank cars on trains and trucks for transport. They would lessen the need for huge super tankers that run aground and cause massive pollution events! They will not require a massive infrastructure build up because all that would be necessary is to use the current commercial and industrial air compressors at existing truck stops in place today to supply compressed air! The power to produce the the compressed air can be purely renewable if they so desired it! I am certain the production and wide spread distribution of air powered vehicles is being suppressed by the oil and gas industry!

Answer 2

The air car won't likely ever be sold in the USA because it won't pass our crash tests.  In order to obtain a reasonable range and top speed, the car needs to be too lightweight to have a strong frame.

"Of course, the Air Car will likely never hit American shores, especially considering its all-glue construction."

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automoti...

Compressed air is basically just an inefficient electric car.  The electricity powers the air compressor, and instead of being stored in a battery is stored in the compressed air.  The stored energy then mechanically drives pistons to power the car, but this process is less efficient than using an electric motor (which are on the order of 90% efficient).

The alternative fuel cars which are coming to the American market are plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles.

Available in California in October 2008, the Aptera typ-1e will cost about $27,000 with a top speed of 95 mph and range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Soon thereafter Aptera will introduce the typ-1h, a plug-in hybrid version of the typ-1e with a 40-60 mile range on purely electrical energy, and a range of over 600 miles total when in electric/gas hybrid mode, for around $30,000.  On a 120 mile trip, the typ-1h will get 300 miles per gallon.  The shorter the trip, the higher the efficiency.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Available in late 2008 or early 2009, the ZAP Alias will cost $30,000, have a top speed of 100 mph, and a range of 100 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

Soon thereafter the ZAP-X will be available at a cost of $60,000 with a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 350 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

Available in late 2008 or early 2009, the Miles Javlon will cost $30,000 with a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.milesev.com/

Phoenix Motorcars will start selling their SUT to individuals in late 2008 or early 2009.  It will cost $45,000 and have a top speed of 100 mph with a range of 100+ miles per charge.

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/

Answer 3

Like electric cars, It takes power to compress air, and it takes a lot to run a car. Just moving the pollution around. High pressure air is also very dangerous if a line broke in a crash.

Can't get away from the laws of Physics, Chemistry, and Energy. Power = Power, no matter what form. Beware of the marketing / sales industry. Also beware of the uninformed "Environmentalist".

Answer 4

And jest how big of a air tank are you talking a bout. this is not even a feasible idea .Jest a way to make money off of not real smart people.Can i sell you the plans for SUN powered cloths dryer? only 19.99, wake up.

Answer 5

Jack seems to be really sold on the idea of compressed air for vehicles.  There is just not enough energy in compressed air to make it workable.  It takes an incredible amount of electricity to run an air compressor.  You may think that the compressors could be run off of solar.  Do the numbers and you will probably find out that you would need acres of solar panels just to run one compressor.  You could have just been charging lithium-ion batteries for an electric car and gotten much better results.

I've read about the compressed air car going to market in India.  It would never be able to pass safety laws in the US.  In addition, they still don't talk about speed and range combined.  They just say it will go something like 150km per hour OR it will go 60 km.  How fast will it go 60 km?  And what is the true cost of running the air compressors?

Answer 6

i just saw on the news about a car released in India that seats 4 and does like 50mpg. only thing is that it hasn't come to America yet and it was like smaller than an older ford escort.also its price in India is only 2500 bucks!! with no air,no radio.....bare.