106 mpg 'air car' creates buzz, questions

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106 mpg 'air car' creates buzz, questions Friday, August 08, 2008
CNN International -- (CNN) -- You've heard of hybrids, electric cars and vehicles that can run on vegetable oil. But of all the contenders in the quest to produce the ultimate fuel-efficient car, this could be the first one to let you say, "Fill it up with air." That's the idea behind the compressed air car, a vehicle its backers say could achieve a fuel economy of 106 miles per gallon. Plenty of skepticism exists, but with many Americans trying to escape sticker shock at the gas pump, the concept is generating buzz.
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 8/8/2008 10:46:44 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Friday, August 08, 2008 CNN International -- (CNN) -- You've heard of hybrids, electric cars and vehicles that can run on vegetable oil. But of all the contenders in the quest to produce the ultimate fuel-efficient car, this could be the first one to let you say, "Fill it up with air." That's the idea behind the compressed air car, a vehicle its backers say could achieve a fuel economy of 106 miles per gallon. Plenty of skepticism exists, but with many Americans trying to escape sticker shock at the gas pump, the concept is generating buzz. Visit CNN International for full article

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POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,630 Points:165,050 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/26/2008 12:23:40 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	catch the buzz
Don1222 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,091 Points:46,480 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/23/2008 7:04:30 PM	Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse
	They need to develop a car using alternative fuel, or total electric no half-breed. There are a lot of people that want a little car getting 40 or 50 mpg. Personally I will continue with 26 mpg for now. I want a completely alternative fuel car. Maybe total electric in the interm. For those that want them continue making the big pick-up trucks, suv, and hummers. I don't want those either, but if you do you should have it. Sooner or later we have to develope alternative fuel because we will run out of oil. Why not do it now.
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,630 Points:165,050 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/23/2008 5:52:46 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	you'd never catch me, period
sMiLeYz Rookie Author Utah Posts:7 Points:4,070 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/20/2008 2:14:30 PM	Ignore sMiLeYz Report Abuse
	Doesn't sound any less safe then a motorcycle but you'd never catch me putting my family in something like that!
ladyeagle57 Sophomore Author Maine Posts:112 Points:14,390 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/20/2008 9:54:27 AM	Ignore ladyeagle57 Report Abuse
	The body of the car planned for the United States would be built with fiberglass and injected foam. The chassis, composed of aluminum rods, would be glued together, not welded. The crash tests would be interesting. Air car versus 18-wheeler.
jim92065 Sophomore Author San Diego Posts:209 Points:40,800 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/19/2008 11:19:49 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	abracadabra, hocus-pocus Done!
gas101CA Veteran Author Orange County Posts:341 Points:27,400 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/17/2008 3:24:52 PM	Ignore gas101CA Report Abuse
	so let make that happen now
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,630 Points:165,050 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/17/2008 12:20:21 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	just breath gas Jim; start now so you'll be ready when the time comes
dmatte85 Sophomore Author Louisiana Posts:107 Points:11,000 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/17/2008 1:27:21 AM	Ignore dmatte85 Report Abuse
	i don't believe this. i would buy a car like a hybrid or an electric car if they didn't cost so much more than a normal car.
jim92065 Sophomore Author San Diego Posts:209 Points:40,800 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/16/2008 8:56:39 PM	Ignore jim92065 Report Abuse
	I know how to measure air, but what do we do when it's all used up?
kcgrl1 Rookie Author Virginia Posts:50 Points:18,065 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: 8/15/2008 2:59:55 AM	Ignore kcgrl1 Report Abuse
	Excuse me;but gallon of air? I don't get how you measure a gallon of air.
Don1222 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,091 Points:46,480 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/14/2008 2:20:49 PM	Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse
	People thought Edison was 'nuts'.
Bill313 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:5,003 Points:690,315 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 8/14/2008 12:49:27 PM	Ignore Bill313 Report Abuse
	I thought solar whould be great, air?
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,630 Points:165,050 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/14/2008 12:44:05 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	hair car
POLELANE Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,630 Points:165,050 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/12/2008 2:15:04 PM	Ignore POLELANE Report Abuse
	everything will buzz at 106
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,029 Points:941,465 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: 8/12/2008 2:07:41 PM	Ignore RogerB Report Abuse
	Not sure I understand this, but a re-chargeable hybrid (drive 40 miles or more on batteries, without gas). makes more sense to me.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:940 Points:194,425 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/10/2008 11:45:33 AM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	I would rather pay higher prices and feel safe
WalkingWV Rookie Author West Virginia Posts:76 Points:31,755 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/10/2008 9:06:27 AM	Ignore WalkingWV Report Abuse
	You can see air motors and air vehicles in action on youtube.
PathfinderSC All-Star Author South Carolina Posts:772 Points:140,480 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 7:09:17 PM	Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse
	It sounds good , really to good. It has not hit the streets in India or anywhere else. And we really think the oil people is going to let something like this come over to mess up there honey pot. They have bought everything that people has come up with to get better MPG. Something that gets 106 MPG would run them crazy.
magnumCA All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:940 Points:194,425 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:54:08 AM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	seems strange
Nannabug Rookie Author Georgia Posts:88 Points:34,175 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:51:01 AM	Ignore Nannabug Report Abuse
	A previous post stated that a lot of people could not afford $18,000 for a new car, I agree. Maybe the government would try to come up with a way to make them affordable for all; rebates, finance incentives, affordable leases... [Edited by: Nannabug at 8/9/2008 11:51:27 AM EST]
no1doc Veteran Author Milwaukee Posts:313 Points:92,675 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:38:07 AM	Ignore no1doc Report Abuse
	Imagine what pressure would be needed to make air usable.
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,442 Points:418,750 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:18:19 AM	Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse
	Sounds great, but when will we have a real car to analyze and see if it really works?
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,190 Points:125,185 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:13:45 AM	Ignore reb4 Report Abuse
	still sounds as if it's prototype. I would be pleasently surprised if they deliver in 2010. Amazing if it happens. How long has the volt been on the table from GM?
t4204life Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,947 Points:786,360 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:08:51 AM	Ignore t4204life Report Abuse
	But how much energy is required to compress the air and fit the tanks? One POLITICIAN,they are full of hot air!
GaryG7 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,159 Points:1,016,675 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:03:25 AM	Ignore GaryG7 Report Abuse
	But how much energy is required to compress the air and fit the tanks?
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,170 Points:941,955 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 11:02:46 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	At least it is a start in the right direction, now if they can make them low enough in price so that people can afford to buy them. And also they would have to be dependable.
Bungee All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:513 Points:324,320 Joined:Oct 2002	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:59:28 AM	Ignore Bungee Report Abuse
	Once it is mass marketed, they will start charging us for air. :)
OilBGone Veteran Author New Jersey Posts:287 Points:47,895 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:59:03 AM	Ignore OilBGone Report Abuse
	bowler48226 - Are you serious? Is air free in Detroit?
RWPTraveller All-Star Author Virginia Posts:566 Points:310,125 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:57:45 AM	Ignore RWPTraveller Report Abuse
	Spot on, 02SilverStroke!
Gassie1 Champion Author Akron Posts:4,025 Points:492,460 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:52:24 AM	Ignore Gassie1 Report Abuse
	Why not?
ccf_jeff Champion Author St. Louis Posts:5,593 Points:940,075 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:51:36 AM	Ignore ccf_jeff Report Abuse
	lostorosbravos: It may be a good thought but if anything like that were ever available to the public the average American couldn't afford it. They offer all of these things but do not make them affordable and then wonder why we are addicted to oil! ===================== The article said they were looking at a target price of $18,000. That would still be $2,000 less than the Prius, and it would hold more passengers and get better than double the gas mileage. Of course, if the promoters are full of hot air ...
02SilverStroke All-Star Author Dallas Posts:864 Points:438,105 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:49:49 AM	Ignore 02SilverStroke Report Abuse
	There's enough hot air coming of Washington to power these cars for many years!!!! :)
bowler48226 All-Star Author Detroit Posts:905 Points:264,595 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:49:07 AM	Ignore bowler48226 Report Abuse
	What places charge for air?
ccf_jeff Champion Author St. Louis Posts:5,593 Points:940,075 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:48:07 AM	Ignore ccf_jeff Report Abuse
	"Some places already charge for air!" ----------- Well, I think we're certainly overpaying for the hot air out of Washington.
BANANAMAN22 Sophomore Author Houston Posts:175 Points:36,025 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:47:34 AM	Ignore BANANAMAN22 Report Abuse
	WAITING TO SEE MY FIRST AIR STATION
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,387 Points:864,030 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:46:19 AM	Ignore brutus Report Abuse
	Some places already charge for air!
evasilion Veteran Author Virginia Beach Posts:375 Points:75,745 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:46:06 AM	Ignore evasilion Report Abuse
	Hot air?
lostorosbravos Rookie Author Oklahoma Posts:83 Points:24,470 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:45:31 AM	Ignore lostorosbravos Report Abuse
	It may be a good thought but if anything like that were ever available to the public the average American couldn't afford it. They offer all of these things but do not make them affordable and then wonder why we are addicted to oil!
hangupanddrive Veteran Author Michigan Posts:461 Points:868,360 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:42:24 AM	Ignore hangupanddrive Report Abuse
	As long as we all don't have to stop breathing!
ccf_jeff Champion Author St. Louis Posts:5,593 Points:940,075 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:42:16 AM	Ignore ccf_jeff Report Abuse
	It sounds very interesting, but they usually over hype these types of things to pump up the interest levels. I'd buy one in a flash if it was already available, had reasonable performance, decent safety, and even half the gas mileage they're claiming. I use a little Subaru Impreza now, but it only seats 5 and we had our 4th child 5 years ago. I need a backup that gets good gas mileage but will seat at least 6. I've been waiting for Mazda to roll out the Mazda 5 diesel mini-mini-van that'll seat 6 and get 45 mpg, but they haven't talked about it since the new more stringent air quality standards for diesels came into force. If this thing got even 50 mpg and was acceptable in all of the other categories it would be a bargain. Of course, that's a big "IF". It isn't in production yet, and it doesn't sound like they've even got a viable prototype for the US market yet. I've never heard of the company and don't know if they have any track record of trying to pull something like this off. I'd be more impressed if it was Honda or Toyota touting this, but they don't usually say much about these types of innovative vehicles until they're about ready to hit the streets. I have to wonder about the safety of the air tanks with pressure levels significantly higher than even typical commercial tanks. I imagine they'd have to be pretty heavy duty and hence pretty thick and heavy as well. That would adversely impact the weight and the size of the vehicle. Someone noted that if an airline got a pinhole in it, the pressure would be enough to cut through pretty thick metal. It would go through an arm like a hot knife through butter. I hope it's a viable new option, but I wouldn't necessarily be willing to bet a bunch of money on it. [Edited by: ccf_jeff at 8/9/2008 10:46:34 AM EST]
Parif Veteran Author Virginia Posts:488 Points:87,390 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:41:08 AM	Ignore Parif Report Abuse
	this would be great if it can work
FedUpRI Veteran Author Rhode Island Posts:305 Points:52,965 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:38:25 AM	Ignore FedUpRI Report Abuse
	If this car is really feasible as a production model, especially at that price, Terrific. The less fossil fuels we use the better. Even better would be the use of no fossil fuels.
kenya32 Sophomore Author Pennsylvania Posts:197 Points:124,760 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:38:16 AM	Ignore kenya32 Report Abuse
	This sounds really great. I hope the idea just doesn't sit around for year's, i hope they get it on the market.
fromdarange All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:824 Points:195,460 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:37:20 AM	Ignore fromdarange Report Abuse
	But will it run on polluted air?
momoffourfl Rookie Author Tallahassee Posts:4 Points:805 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:36:08 AM	Ignore momoffourfl Report Abuse
	we Americans are full of hot air so this might be the car for us....
laddyboy62 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,210 Points:921,185 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:36:00 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	yeah...yeah...another edsel on the way
YLHandyman All-Star Author Orange County Posts:935 Points:154,715 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:34:54 AM	Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse
	Let's see the prodction model.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:8,100 Points:645,960 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:31:57 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	"Heating the air increases its volume, and by increasing its volume, it increases [the car's] range. That's why with one gallon of gasoline or its equivalent we are able to make over 100 mpg." Just a lot of hot air...........
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:4,486 Points:994,525 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: 8/9/2008 10:31:47 AM	Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse
	This may have some practicality as a city car.