Air powered car, but how eco is it?

15 Oct 2008 11:11p.m.

David, Auckland wrote:

Is this a joke? Is this really the future of motoring in New Zealand? What a piece of garbage! This might go down well in Japan, but I would seriously start to worry if this took off here.

15 Oct 2008 02:32p.m.

Keith, Roxburgh, OTAGO, NZ wrote:

AND?
Where else - and using what "SORT" of refueler - could one possibly "hope" to have such economical usage?
Such as an "air" car - ?
When cruisin around our wonderfully "hilly & scenic" NZ?
One simply "kicks" the re-fueller function into life - at the TOP of that HILL - and instead of relying on "BRAKES" the air_compressors take the strain,
Thus pumping your fuel tanks "UP"...
as you CRUISE DOWNHILL ?

And wow - what a "wonderfull experience ... somewhere across the vast Nullibour Plains - in Australia - hundreds of unwary travellers ... are standing around - in searing red_dust Aussie "heat" - waiting for their "TURN" - to pump a few more pounds of angry HOT_AIR - back into their "luxuriously air_conditioned PASSENGER TRAIN - to allow them to complete their journey?
Priceless.

15 Oct 2008 02:23p.m.

Keith, Roxburgh, OTAGO, NZ wrote:

Actually - I dissagree with all three before me here (Alien, Jim & Doppleganger) - As these are the Prototype models.
Read the fuller text.
These may be in the form, later, as BUSES (rather larger than Ur V8 "Jim") & "TRAINS" (will crush like a Weetbix Packet - Ur 30 wheeled B-Train "Doppleganger" - sorry.)

But no - There is some merrit in these.

By NOW - we have all seen the hundreds of very efficient "Senior_Citizen" type of "rambo_go.carts" - (4wheel_scooter/wheelchairs).
All of these wee "runners" are powered by VERY_SMALL 12volt (& or two 12v=24v) electric_motors.
Thus a couple of AIR_MOTORS
(Or if prefered - A "differential-ed" LARGE_SINGLE_MOTOR could be used)
These vehicles COULD become extremely "GOOD" for all, not just city commuters.

AS WHERE ELSE MY FRIENDS?
Could you stop along a lonely "country_road" (miles from any other person - let alone refueling station)
& litterally "foot_pump" your Fuel_Tank - back to full condition.
JUST - with the simple use of your easily stowable
Refueller_Kit.
(which amazingly, even "PUMPS UP" your flat tyres)
???
And to the Articles 'comments' re green eco fuels being "generated by electricity & fossil fuels"?

Sorry, but human foot power, "pumping" everyday RURAL AIR
BACK into your car - does NOT eco waste create.

re:-
Motoring journalist Clive Matthew-Wilson said
"car was not efficient because it was small and light"?

A Bus, or Train, IS rather HEAVY is it NOT ?
(These CARS are JUST small "show-off_prototypes")

Clive Matthew-Wilson was also concerned about zero emissions.
“in order to pump up the compressors that fill the car with air you're going to need electricity and about a third of that in New Zealand is going to be generated from burning fossil fuels,” ?
Um - I'm NOT YET a fossil fuel bud.
& YET?
Even I, when forced, can use a "FOOTPUMP" air compressor.

THUS:-
Ms Barker said the wrong thing.
She should have said (Shank's Pony) FOOT POWER for "refuelling" is BEST.