I wonder how the oil companies will deal with this?

[K7SGJ]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/141944/tata-motors-mini-cat-air-car-to-debut-in-2012/

[X-Rated]

Then everybody can have their own set of Tata's.

[N2CHX]

That's pretty cool.

[NQ6U]

I drive 16 miles round trip every day and about half that distance is on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph (72 kph) or less. One of those things could work for me.

[PA5COR]

A company in Spain builds this kinda car as well, renting them out in summer for tourists that wan transport in the city and around the city.
Most people won't do 300 km a day. and with an internal compressor to fill up and a electricity source at work you could do fine.
We also have the 3 liter per 100 km diesel cars that use 3 liter diesel on 100 km to drive, 1.2 l tdi engine.
VW Lupo etc.
That gives independance on range and you need refueling after 750 km.

At least we see car companies experiment with this stuff, and in India etc this might be a good selling point.

[n2ize]

Still going to require fuel at some point or another to run the compressors. Law of conservation of energy. There is no free ride. No free energy loop. You get out no more than you put in.

[KG4CGC]

I don't think it would handle the average American pothole. Oil Co's have nothing to worry about.

[KG4CGC]

I remember hearing about this in 2008. I think (not sure but former Air Force guy said so) that the US government said no unless it has a diesel power generator on board to power a compressor.

[W5IEI]

I don't think it would handle the average American pothole. Oil Co's have nothing to worry about.

The average American pothole is caused by the average American freeloader.

[WØTKX]

Well, we pay for bottled water with a high profit.

Why not pay for air? :dunno:

[NQ6U]

I wonder how well this thing does on hills. That's a major concern around here, where the terrain is pretty bumpy. Head east from the Islets and you immediately start climbing until you reach around 6000 feet. Continue on and in a few dozen miles you'll find yourself 200 feet below sea level.

[N2CHX]

The average American pothole is caused by the average American freeloader.

The average American freeloader is caused by the average American shit-stirrer.

[W5GA]

Air compressors and the associated piping, hoses etc. to handle 4250 psi do not come cheap, nor will the training required to handle same. I'd also want to see the crash test data on those carbon fiber cylinders in the car. The kinetic energy contained in a cylinder like that at max pressure is pretty awesome to behold, as long as you aren't on the receiving end.

[KG4CGC]

The average American pothole is caused by the average American freeloader.

I get under your skin and that just tears you up.

[ad4mg]

Air compressors and the associated piping, hoses etc. to handle 4250 psi do not come cheap, nor will the training required to handle same. I'd also want to see the crash test data on those carbon fiber cylinders in the car. The kinetic energy contained in a cylinder like that at max pressure is pretty awesome to behold, as long as you aren't on the receiving end.

No kidding. We just ran some 1" OD SS tubing for a breathing air compressor. Working pressure was about that, system design was 6000#. The wall thickness had to be .083", where .049" is commonly used. Swagelok 316SS compression fittings were used, and a go, no-go gauge is mandatory at those pressures!

High pressure pneumatic systems are extremely dangerous. When they fail, the vessels usually disintegrate into shrapnel.

[kb2vxa]

Tatas are fine with me but you won't find Mini Cats around here anytime soon. Neither oil companies or Diesel generators have anything to do with it, they don't meet American safety standards.