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Hybrid Cars Full Of Hot Air?

Posted by Frank Meyer - Wednesday, January 09, 2008 10:35 AM

French Formula One expert Guy Negre has developed a car engine that runs not on the chemical energy of gasoline, but use Compressed Air Technology, which incorporates bi-energy (compressed air + fuel) to increase their driving range to close to 2000 km with zero pollution in cities and considerably reduced pollution outside urban areas.

In plain talk that means “regular old air is compressed in ultra-strong tanks in the car. Then, that air is released through a couple of pistons in the engine, which drives the wheels.”

So why go airy?

Well, it only costs about three dollars to fill up the tank, for one thing. Also, the car has no emissions and the re-filling process is easy.

Air Car prototypes are on the road and several companies have already licensed the technology, though don’t expect to see them in American too soon…still got some kinks and legalities to work out….

Ecogeek.org: Air-Powered Hybrid Cars?




Comment(s)

Posted by Kentmx25 - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 10:52 AM

why didnt we think of this before a air compressor motor to drive the wheels. Brilliant

Posted by Fx_Avatar - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 11:23 AM

Let me understand this, the car costs 3.5k euro’s and fills on 1.5 euro’s getting 200km.

So, I could spend $7,000 to buy it, fill the tank on $3, and get about 124 miles on a tank.

Cheap to buy, Cheap to own, Cheap to refuel.. Hell, toss an air compressor in your garage and a smaller one for “emergencies” in the trunk and BLAM.. a Green car that is cheap… Naa.. We Americans would never go for that.. Noo… Never..
I have only one question left, what is the cost to have it brought to America and licensed, forget the big 3 and their profits needed to do it for me. I have seen a few people around my neighborhood that have the Smart already, they had it shipped in from England and converted. Why not do the same for this car.

Posted by TKEmysterio - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 11:50 AM

If this thing gets into an accident wouldn't it be the equivalent of puncturing an aerosol can? There'd be shrapnel everywhere. But I'm sure they thought about this already.

Posted by TKEmysterio - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 11:55 AM

I wasn't able to listen to the video since I'm at work, but did they say if it keeps a constant pressure? And if so, how? I would imagine that it would slowly lose power even at the 100KM mark.

Posted by BERT0NE - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 12:37 PM

This tech can only get better... after India has a few thousand of these running as taxis on there streets for a year or two we will see a shift in the way people see this technology... like any new tech people fear it's a scam or to good to be true. I just hope this works out for the best...I think I am going to go Buy some stock now!!!

Posted by Fx_Avatar - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 12:46 PM

“If this thing gets into an accident wouldn't it be the equivalent of puncturing an aerosol can? There'd be shrapnel everywhere. But I'm
sure they thought about this already.”

Not really, they make the tanks from carbon fiber, which allows the tank to split in an accident instead of exploding.

As for the pressure drop over time, this could be fixed with a pressure regulator that would allow the tanks to hold a few times the needed pressure for the engine, but the gas to be released at a constant flow. If the settings are right, you would get a drop once the tanks get really low, but at that point it would be like running out of gas.

Posted by everlastinggaze - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 2:00 PM

this still changes nothing. we're gonna be covered in water by 2012

Posted by grapeape - Wednesday, January 9, 2008 5:49 PM

why doesnt that U.S.A release this car in our country and other gas efficient vehicles other than the hybrid or alternative energy. oh i know why because manipulative oil companies and business are controlling the government from releasing it. hello global warming.

Posted by ThataUFO - Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:13 AM

Thats what I want in my car. A big ass air tank under huge pressures.

Posted by scotthea01 - Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:55 AM

I wonder what would be better, having and air tank explode on impact or having a regular gas tank explode on impact?

Posted by oOIrrelevantOo - Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:00 PM

The air car uses carbon fiber pipes, so instead of exploding, it just cracks... that's what this other video said.

Posted by Willis_Ax - Monday, January 14, 2008 4:23 PM

Nice.

Posted by Fragfiesta - Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:08 PM

If they can get this done and start sellin it world wide as soon as possible that'll be great for the environment as long as people buy them. Which they will I'd imagine. Make the outside look pretty, put a cheap price on it, make a few different kind of models and colors and tell people they're doing something good for the environment and they'll be bought real quick. Not to mention saying it'll be cheaper than gas. But we need to move quick cause Global Warming isn't goining to slow down for us!

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