> > Is this true?
>
> > http://www.theaircar.com/

Not in the combination they mention.
The maximum possible energy storage capability is very very low compared
with any sort of combustion engine.

The peak speed claimed MAY be achievable - that would require about 5 kW on
a VERY well streamlined body but the range would then be small.

The range MAY be achievable at very very low speeds (say 10 to 30 kph range)
on a flat track in ideal conditions. Energy consumption of a well designed
vehicle approaches zero per km as speed approaches zero :-)

The cost of 1 cent a kilometre suggests 300 km x 1 cent = 300 cents = about
30 kWH energy. Even allowing for heat loss while compressing (see gas laws)
there is no way to store anything approaching that much compression energy
in  car that size even with liquid air. Even if it was, 300 km at 50 kph = 6
hours. 30 kWH/6 = 5 kW average energy. Quite apart from the inability to
travel at that speed in real conditions, how would you like to drive a car
in traffic with a mean power of 5 kW / 7 HP ? :-)

Roughly, Energy available (after heat losses during compression) = Volume x
Patmospheric x ln(Pmax/Patmos)  (and getting this out again from a high
pressure source requires a very clever motor). A rough calculation shows
that most people will be disappointed if they rely on the brochure figures.



        Russell McMahon

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