Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Car Powered by Compressed Air

Posted by timothy on from the switched-from-suck-to-blow dept.

gripperzipper writes "CNN reports that a Korean company created a small car powered by compressed air. ENERGINE created its PHEV, or Pneumatic-Hybrid Electric Vehicle, which uses a two-stroke compressed air engine for start, acceleration, and uphill climbs. The car switches to an electric motor when its speed reaches 20-25 km/h (32-40 mi/h). Although major auto manufacturers have invested heavily in gasoline hybrids, it will be interesting to see if a market will open for this type of vehicle." Update: 04/04 17:18 GMT by T : Reader Tapsu spotted the incongruity here, writing "Interesting post, but the speed conversion has gone wrong way: "20-25 km/h (32-40 mi/h)". ... Thus the correct speed range in miles would be something like 12-15 mi/h."

5 of 409 comments (clear)

  1. Rocket scientists wrote this one!!!! by anagama · · Score: 0, Redundant


    20km/h != 32m/h
    20km/h = 12.4m/h

    --
    What changed under Obama? Nothing Good
  2. Adding an extra step for efficency loss makes sens by frovingslosh · · Score: 1, Redundant
    From The FA: "The air is compressed using a small motor, powered by a 48-volt battery, which powers both the air compressor and the electric motor." and "The system eliminates the need for fuel,..."

    Oh yea, this makes sense, because we all know you get more energy by first compressing air with a battery and then using it to power a motor than you would by powering the motor with the batter directly. Right. And it's not dangerous at all haveing a high pressure air tank sitting in a hot car that sits in the sun, all scuba divers know that. And the inches of travel that you'll manage to get out of any such system if the tank actually fits in a car makes this so worth while.

    Does no one think before publishing this stuff???

    --
    I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
  3. Units error? by TWX · · Score: 0, Redundant

    "The car switches to an electric motor when its speed reaches 20-25 km/h (32-40 mi/h)." Isn't that conversion factor waaay off? I thought kilometers were something near three fifths of a mile, so 20km/h would be something just above 15MPH...

    --
    Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  4. 32 - 40 mi/h? by Purifier · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Please divide the kph values by 1.6 instead of multiplying it to get the correct mph results! ;)

  5. decimal system - slashdot 1-0 by incuso · · Score: 0, Redundant

    1 mph = 1,6 km/h not viceversa ;)