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I saw a show on the History Channel about the MDI air car and my immediate reaction was......


I WANT ONE



http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/3671

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmqpGZv0YT4

I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

That would be a perpetual motion machine, which just isn't possible. Some energy has to be spent to overcome friction, etc.

Some energy of some sort has to be used to get the air compressed. Calling it "very low pollution" would be more fitting. Although I suppose they could use some sort of solar/wind power to compress the air, making it zero pollution....

I know a few people who could power that car....

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

That is a small gas engine used to compress the air while driving. A tank of Gas will get you from La to NYC.

SharkOnLand wrote:

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

That would be a perpetual motion machine, which just isn't possible. Some energy has to be spent to overcome friction, etc.

Some energy of some sort has to be used to get the air compressed. Calling it "very low pollution" would be more fitting. Although I suppose they could use some sort of solar/wind power to compress the air, making it zero pollution....

Please, if you ignore all the laws of Physics, this car is not only possible but completely practical. It seems the only reason this hasn't been produced sooner is because the scientists developing powered transportation studied physics and thermodynamics.

I don't know why you are all focusing on the "Zero Pollution" thing. I myself am looking at it as a vehicle that I can use to commute without spending a fortune in Gas. The base model with a 4 banger is capable of 70 mph and has a range of 140 miles. It can be charged at home with a small compressor (about 3 hours to fill it) and there is a system for filling stations that can fill it in 3 min. The 6 banger with the small gas motor will get you 650 miles on one small tank of gas.

Ok, I'll focus on something else....

with a tubular chassis that is glued not welded and a body of fiberglass

Sounds like a coffin on wheels, should you hit anything bigger than an African Swallow.

SharkOnLand wrote:

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

That would be a perpetual motion machine, which just isn't possible. Some energy has to be spent to overcome friction, etc.

Some energy of some sort has to be used to get the air compressed. Calling it "very low pollution" would be more fitting. Although I suppose they could use some sort of solar/wind power to compress the air, making it zero pollution....

it's not perpetual motion. The pump which will fill the compressed air tank is run off the engine while you drive. Either way low pollution is better than what we use now.

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

That would be a perpetual motion machine, which just isn't possible. Some energy has to be spent to overcome friction, etc.

Some energy of some sort has to be used to get the air compressed. Calling it "very low pollution" would be more fitting. Although I suppose they could use some sort of solar/wind power to compress the air, making it zero pollution....

it's not perpetual motion. The pump which will fill the compressed air tank is run off the engine while you drive. Either way low pollution is better than what we use now.

But don't call it "zero pollution" if it's not. That's my point.

It's like calling half a Twinkie "zero calorie" just because it doesn't have as many calories as a full Twinkie.

SharkOnLand wrote:

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:

CrznDnUS1 wrote:

SharkOnLand wrote:I like how they call it a "zero pollution" car. Like the air just gets compressed magically.

Actually I saw this on another channel and they said that now there is some draw on the energy grid to pump the air into the car but, they are working on an onboard compressor so that when the car is driving it will compress air using the engine. Thus no pollution.

That would be a perpetual motion machine, which just isn't possible. Some energy has to be spent to overcome friction, etc.

Some energy of some sort has to be used to get the air compressed. Calling it "very low pollution" would be more fitting. Although I suppose they could use some sort of solar/wind power to compress the air, making it zero pollution....

it's not perpetual motion. The pump which will fill the compressed air tank is run off the engine while you drive. Either way low pollution is better than what we use now.

But don't call it "zero pollution" if it's not. That's my point.

It's like calling half a Twinkie "zero calorie" just because it doesn't have as many calories as a full Twinkie.

But wait if an engine which runs on air compresses the air for the next trip, other than the initial fill up of air where is the pollution? Although this is not yet been produced and is only on the drawing board for now.
compressed air -> run car
compressed air -> run secondary motor to compress more air.
I am not a physics major but to me that is '0'

CrznDnUS1 wrote:But wait if an engine which runs on air compresses the air for the next trip, other than the initial fill up of air where is the pollution? Although this is not yet been produced and is only on the drawing board for now.
compressed air -> run car
compressed air -> run secondary motor to compress more air.
I am not a physics major but to me that is '0'

This is not possible.

You would have to add energy into the equation somehow. (Most likely the "secondary engine" you refer to would be powered by some other source, gas engine or whatnot.) You lose energy to friction, wind resistance, rolling resistance, etc.

In your example, you're getting more energy out than you are putting in, which just isn't possible.

You would have to add energy into the equation somehow. (Most likely the "secondary engine" you refer to would be powered by some other source, gas engine or whatnot.)

The secondary motor can be powered by something such as a fan belt like you power a A/C unit.

In your example, you're getting more energy out than you are putting in, which just isn't possible.

maybe that is why it is on the drawing board.

It isn't Zero pollution, it isn't perpetual motion. It is simply an alternative power vehicle. It also isn't just on the drawing board they have made a number of these already and they have been licensed to be produced and used in eight countries. (not including the USA yet damnit )

If you guys could stop arguing over the little things and tell me what you think of the idea itself I'd really appreciate it.

I do think it is a good idea, but it is being misrepresented. I don't have much respect for Tata motors. So until one of the mainstream manufacturers pick up on the concept it will not go anywhere.

It's a great idea and while I would love to see it here, it will NEVER happen. Our country and carmakers are too heavily invested in the oil industry and we all know it. This is the exact reason the electric car never took off.

Watch the trailer for this film please:
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/

pair8head wrote:If you guys could stop arguing over the little things and tell me what you think of the idea itself I'd really appreciate it.

Fine.

The idea is good. I'm a little concerned with the actual execution. Seems "flimsy" to me, for lack of a better term. It seems like it would be a decent city car, but that's just not plausible out here in BFE where we have to drive two hours on the interstate just to hit the nearest Home Depot or Target...

But not everyone lives in BFE. I'd love to have one. I'm tired of giving my money to crooks. Even glued together, I'd take my chances. I absolutely hate putting gas into my car. The less the better. But as someone has stated before, good luck getting it into the U.S. It goes against capatilism. They would have to find a way to make billions off of compressed air first.

Ok now that is more like it. Thanks for your input. I believe that one day soon they will be made available in the US and when they do I would love to have one just for commuting. I spend a small fortune for gas right now and think this is just what we need. Mexico City is considering using them for Taxis and just think how much that would help their air pollution problem there.