Car Powered by Compressed Air

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."

If rapid depressurization is any indication...

[Capt'n Hector]

...this thing is gunna be loud.

Perfect for us!

[Dancin_Santa]

This website provides the perfect fuel for this car.

But I'm probably just repeating the first several dozen comments...

Are you serious? I'll assume you are...

[cfalcon]

I hear they're almost as volatile as tanks filled with explosive refined hydrocarbons!

Re:Still energy

[FluffyPanda]

Not in china, there you can pay 20 small children and a man with a whip to squeeze balloons all day for less than the cost of a sack of coal.

Don't Crash!

[nacturation]

From the manual:

"Should you find yourself approaching the state of being in an accident, please yourself to duck so as to avoid looking at your previously attached body before the shrapnel took off your head." (Safety tips, Appendix A, P.232)

Conversion Factors

[Ray Radlein]

The car switches to an electric motor when its speed reaches 20-25 km/h (32-40 mi/h).

Now we know why this car keeps crashing into Mars.

Shameless Joke

[Elenthalion]

Man, this gives a new meaning to the phrase "passing gas" ;-)

Flux capicitor optional?

[EdZ]

It switches to electric at 25, what happens at 80?

Re:Still energy

[Havenwar]

Really strong children.

Re:Say goodbye to free air

[camelrider]

I hope these guys aren't designing Mars landing craft!

Re:Wrong conversion

[KinkifyTheNation]

You mean "kompressed" time

Re:Still energy

[FluffyPanda]

You're kidding, right? Those air bottles are pressurized to 300 bar.

Right.

*Rolls eyes*

Re:Still energy

[dabigpaybackski]

They get that way from hauling sacks of coal.

Re:Still energy

[Havenwar]

Really big sacks.

Re:Your local station's pump isn't nearly enough

[spac3manspiff]

I guess you havent been hit by an airsoft gun...

Re:Wrong conversion

[ari_j]

Don't blame him. He works for NASA. ;)

Re:Adding an extra step for efficency loss makes s

[R.Caley]

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.

It's not about energy, it's about power.

Re:Say goodbye to free air

[Gentlewhisper]

Actually I'm already seeing it now. In future cars will have a small port under the seats to collect the.. urm.. compressed air..

Re:Neocons

[Anonymous Coward]

True conservatives are more likely to avoid doing things because they are fun

Well that sounds like a great way to live.. sign me up!