[G4B]

Did you know that an engineer in france has made a van that runs on air? It doesn't go very fast but they say their prototype goes at about 80mph. What's the chances of the oil companies letting him produce this on a global scale? Surely they will be very much out of pocket, and I very much doubt he will take offers of a buyout any time soon even if it was to stop him going into production.

[G4B]

and here it is... http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...319_949435.htm

[Alvin]

Thats a major breakthrough for car propulsion.

I don't see anyone being able to stop its manufacture ,as now the idea is in the public domain any competent engineer can replicate it.


Alvin

[Andy Trish]

Think of the consequences, I'll tell you now someone will stop this even if it gets as far as one day he disappears.

The oil companies, the governments getting tax, the petrol companies, so many people rely on oil for massive amounts of income and I mean massive.... how can you tax air?

Some businesses were bound to fail, this one I think will just go away from public view somehow.

[Alvin]

Don't agree Andy.The concept is very clear in my head.and as the design has its own compressor to generate the compressed air which just needs a mains electric supply Its up for grabs.

Remember compressed air has been used as a power source for many years and the technology is very well understood.

Alvin

[Andy Trish]

Yes Alvin I totally agree on the idea and have thought for many years that inventions like this were feasible. I used to say someone would invent a car that runs on the movement of the particles in water - I really do think it will work and work well especially if you have an alternative source of renewal like the compressor, running out of air on a motorway can be resolved quickly with its own energy source.

my thoughts are that there is too much at stake from the big world players to let it happen worldwide. It really depends on how much the leaders are willing to fight to let it happen, Bush for one is in bed with the oil companies, do you really think he'll want this to happen?

[Alvin]

Agree there are many vested interests that will not be happy about it.

But don't see how they can stop it.

remember the advent of sophisticated diesel cars must have hit there pockets,but they have survived.

I think the success of the project will depend on the price it will be put to the public at,as most things.

The Toyota Prius probably will not succeed because £20,000 is quite a prmium for that class of car allied to it not having an advantage economy wise over diesel cars.

the latest volkswagen polo does over 70 mpg and is road tax free owing to low emissions.

Incedently the wife and I have electrical powered bicycles that will do 20 miles for a 5 pence charge.

Alvin

[G4B]

I know its only fiction, but have you seen that film chain reaction ? Where they have invented cold fusion, and everyone is trying to stop it from being released to the world... free energy from the power of water. Big money makes the world go round, so it would have a knock on effect in all areas.

[fpojohn]

I hope to show later this year that a car can run on petrochemical fuel and not pollute. The vehicle in question here seems a bit on the fragile side, wouldn't you prefer a real vehicle? I wonder how well an articulated lorry or a freight train locomotive would work on compressed air?

[danmaull]

Its a brilliant breakthrough but i can see it being hard for them to get it on the market and selling a high volume of them