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« He's Psychotic | Main | Morning Awesome »

January 4, 2008

This Is Awesome

model_taxi.jpgA car that runs on compressed air -- and it's real. The BBC by way of Cliff Schecter (with video):

The air car, also known as the Mini-CAT or City Cat, can be refueled in minutes from an air compressor at specially equipped gas stations and can go 200 km on a 1.5 euro fill-up -- roughly 125 miles for $3. The top speed will be almost 70 mph and the cost of the vehicle as low as $7000.

Which incompetent Detroit asshat will try to kill it or ban it from use in the United States? Will it be GM? Will it be Ford, whose stock price is at a pathetic $6/share? Or will it be the agri-businesses in the midwest who are betting on ethanol?


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Posted By Bob Cesca | January 4, 2008 10:00 PM

Comments

That is awesome! My bet is on all parties mentioned.

Posted by: lnbno13 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 4, 2008 10:11 PM

Awwww, why'd you have to post the picture?

Posted by: lnbno13 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 4, 2008 10:16 PM

I saw the vids for this car yesterday. People on youTube were complaining that it ONLY goes 70mph. But you nailed it. They'll find some reason to keep it out. God forbid people own a car they can fill up for a few bucks.

Posted by: Nanotyrannus [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 4, 2008 10:18 PM

They're saying "Only 70" eh? My average speed in Manhattan is, like, 2. In Los Angeles traffic, it's 1 or zero. In most larger suburban and metro areas, moving along at 70 would be like warp factor nine.

Everyone will change their tune when gas hits $4/gallon.

Posted by: Bob_Cesca [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 4, 2008 11:35 PM

70 mph actually seems pretty impressive for that type of technology.

I'd be more concerned about range and initial acceleration, for those times when you need a little extra kick for a miscalculation when pulling out into traffic.

But I'm sure with time, those issues would be addressed with time/money.

The next step would be to include an onboard compressor, and voila, perpetual motion.

Posted by: Jimmyz [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 5, 2008 8:11 AM

YES! YES! YES!

just wait for the sequel to "Who Killed The Electric Car".....

whos gonna kill the air car?

Posted by: Fan of Man [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 11:12 AM

That sounds just great but think beyond the tank-where does the energy come from to supply the compressor with air? We have to change the source of energy which I am afraid is mostly coal right now.

Posted by: MNinWI [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 11:34 AM

Everyone will change their tune when gas hits $4/gallon.

You know, I had thought the same thing about $3/gal. But folks are still pumping their big tanks full, bless their little hearts.

I figure we won't get much collective tune-changing until we reach closer to $6.

Posted by: TonyD [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 11:57 AM

This is great, but what if you live in a place where it's hot in summer, or cold in winter?

This car engine is too efficient to produce heat for the car heater and a/c will take up too much energy.

I'm cool with that, but it will be a tough sell to the US market. If you add those things it will take away from the range, fule economy, and will make it cost more.

Posted by: cunning [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 12:49 PM

In the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?", Ed Begley said at the mock funeral that the EV1 would not work for everyone. Since 95% of the people drive 60 miles or less each day, the car would only fit the needs of 95% percent of Los Angeles' commuter population. This car actually looks as if it would handle almost 100%. I drive a vanpool to work that is 50 miles round trip. It would take two and one-half of these cars to match the passenger capacity of our commuter van but I still think the numbers would work out. And btw, I like the styling of the vehicle just fine.

Posted by: LanceThruster [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 1:12 PM

The important question is, does it sound like the cool cars on the Jetsons? If not, they should make it so. i'd definitely buy one.

Posted by: NeffCo [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 3:45 PM

It has a compressor onboard-- the motor. You can plug it in a regular outlet and the motor will fill the tanks overnight.

Posted by: GomboMan [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 7, 2008 3:55 PM

Guy Negre of MDI Air Car engine that runs on compressed air. Emissions are only filtered air that's cleaner than outside air. 300 bars of pressure in carbon-fibre & kevlar air tanks. Car can travel at 110 km/hr and has a 150 km driving range. Refilling can be done by plugging in at home or at a special high-pressure air station. Dual-energy models use small amounts of bio-fuels that can extend the range to over 1400 kms.

Pollution free vehicle that produces zero emissions. When the car stops at traffic lights, the engine stops so no energy is lost because there's no idling.

See the videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/CATvolution or go to http://www.catvolution.com for more information.

Posted by: catvolution [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 25, 2008 4:17 PM