The precessional effect of a flywheel able to store the energy requirements for a car to travel a reasonable distance whould be considerable. In my view, without having the time to work out approximate values, if the axis were vertical there would be likely to be some problem with the rotation of the earth. I would consider mounting the flywheel on gimbals with the axis of rotation aligned with the earth's axis. My gut reaction is that I do not like the idea of forcing flywheels to change axes and so do not like the paired flywheel solution.
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When you get it wrong you get lift off - see the mercedes at Le Mans last year!
Whenever you have a large amount of energy stored in a small volume you have danger!
The precessional effect of a flywheel able to store the energy requirements for a car to travel a reasonable distance whould be considerable. In my view, without having the time to work out approximate values, if the axis were vertical there would be likely to be some problem with the rotation of the earth. I would consider mounting the flywheel on gimbals with the axis of rotation aligned with the earth's axis. My gut reaction is that I do not like the idea of forcing flywheels to change axes and so do not like the paired flywheel solution.
I remeber reading an article in S.A. about this in the late 1960s or early 1970s! Suggesting its use for cars.