Comments on: MDI’s Air Car to be built in Melbourne http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/ Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:22:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Nathan http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-911 Nathan Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:24:17 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-911 The technology being used is proprietary and largely not a huge leap in technology, so it's not likely that we'll see any independent studies come out until after the cars become available. The big breakthrough in the air cars is not so much a compressed-air engine, which as you say isn't exactly new technology, but the lightweight composite structure that allows it to use compressed air, which doesn't put out as much power as a large spark-ignition engine. The technology exists, the questions remaining revolve more around whether or not it will prove to be commercially viable. The technology being used is proprietary and largely not a huge leap in technology, so it’s not likely that we’ll see any independent studies come out until after the cars become available. The big breakthrough in the air cars is not so much a compressed-air engine, which as you say isn’t exactly new technology, but the lightweight composite structure that allows it to use compressed air, which doesn’t put out as much power as a large spark-ignition engine. The technology exists, the questions remaining revolve more around whether or not it will prove to be commercially viable.

]]> By: Eclipse Now http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-910 Eclipse Now Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:43:29 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-910 I have not read a single independent study on how far these cars can go, on what ratios of compressed air / minute, or what kind of actual distances are achieved. My guess is, it's a hoax. The navy have been using compressed air to power torpedoes for a long time. This is old technology, not cutting edge new stuff. If this technology could so easily be applied to the automotive industry, I'm sure they would have thought of it in the last few oil crisis. It's OLD technology. You've already read that people are starting to try and cash in their investments. If these people approach you for money, hold on tight and tell them to go away. I have not read a single independent study on how far these cars can go, on what ratios of compressed air / minute, or what kind of actual distances are achieved.

My guess is, it’s a hoax. The navy have been using compressed air to power torpedoes for a long time. This is old technology, not cutting edge new stuff. If this technology could so easily be applied to the automotive industry, I’m sure they would have thought of it in the last few oil crisis. It’s OLD technology.

You’ve already read that people are starting to try and cash in their investments. If these people approach you for money, hold on tight and tell them to go away.

]]> By: Paddy http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-909 Paddy Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:00:24 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-909 The early publicity for this vehicle, some years ago now, proposed that the air only driven vehicle could be refuelled by a pump driven either by water movement or wind generators. it has an advantage over hydrogen that transition from petrol service stations is easy. They can simply plug an air pump into conventional mains electricity at existing service stations and do not need a whole new technology for storage and transport as hydrogen does. Hydrogen is a very small molecule and leaks through conventional joins. So many people said it could never work but they sure had film of it driving around. The early publicity for this vehicle, some years ago now, proposed that the air only driven vehicle could be refuelled by a pump driven either by water movement or wind generators.

it has an advantage over hydrogen that transition from petrol service stations is easy. They can simply plug an air pump into conventional mains electricity at existing service stations and do not need a whole new technology for storage and transport as hydrogen does. Hydrogen is a very small molecule and leaks through conventional joins.

So many people said it could never work but they sure had film of it driving around.

]]> By: Jeroen http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-900 Jeroen Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:43:56 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-900 I would like to add two arguments in favour of the aircar: 1) Clean city air 2) Low maintanance 1) We are so worried about getting wet feet because of the greenhouse effect. What about our lungs? Being stuck in traffic is already bad enough, but breathing toxic fumes is really life-shortening and so disgusting. Even if the aircar does nothing about lowering power consumption, at least it will greatly reduce the concentration of toxic fumes in most of our everyday lives: the city. Everyday that I bike to work through the London traffic, I'm wishing everybody stupid enough to drive a car in London would drive an aircar tomorrow. 2) When I still had a car, the repairs it needed all the time were driving me crazy. Combustion engines wear down so quickly because of all the heat, chemicals and small moving parts. Because the engines are so big, heavy and complex, replacing an engine part takes hours, driving manual labour costs skyhigh. And if you add up the prices of all replacement parts, you could probably buy a house instead of replacing all the parts of your car. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if car manufacturers are making more money from replacement parts than on selling new cars. I would like to add two arguments in favour of the aircar:
1) Clean city air
2) Low maintanance

1) We are so worried about getting wet feet because of the greenhouse effect. What about our lungs? Being stuck in traffic is already bad enough, but breathing toxic fumes is really life-shortening and so disgusting. Even if the aircar does nothing about lowering power consumption, at least it will greatly reduce the concentration of toxic fumes in most of our everyday lives: the city. Everyday that I bike to work through the London traffic, I’m wishing everybody stupid enough to drive a car in London would drive an aircar tomorrow.

2) When I still had a car, the repairs it needed all the time were driving me crazy. Combustion engines wear down so quickly because of all the heat, chemicals and small moving parts. Because the engines are so big, heavy and complex, replacing an engine part takes hours, driving manual labour costs skyhigh. And if you add up the prices of all replacement parts, you could probably buy a house instead of replacing all the parts of your car. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if car manufacturers are making more money from replacement parts than on selling new cars.

]]> By: Is This For Real?? Apparently So… « Midday Escapes http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-899 Is This For Real?? Apparently So… « Midday Escapes Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:03:05 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-899 [...] I thought this was a joke… but apparently not … read here [...] [...] I thought this was a joke… but apparently not … read here [...]

]]> By: Air Car???? « Midday Escapes http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-898 Air Car???? « Midday Escapes Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:47:43 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-898 [...] thought this was a joke… but apparently not … read here What a great idea for an around town car.  They aren’t the greatest looking vehicles but [...] [...] thought this was a joke… but apparently not … read here What a great idea for an around town car.  They aren’t the greatest looking vehicles but [...]

]]> By: Nathan http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-896 Nathan Fri, 30 May 2008 15:44:59 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-896 The OneCAT isn't available yet, and probably won't be until next year at this stage. I haven't heard any updates about pricing, so we can probably assume that $8,000 is still the target price. The OneCAT isn’t available yet, and probably won’t be until next year at this stage. I haven’t heard any updates about pricing, so we can probably assume that $8,000 is still the target price.

]]> By: Emmie Sloof http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-895 Emmie Sloof Wed, 28 May 2008 10:57:44 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-895 Hi, I am living in England but shortly will be returning to Australia. Have read about the MDI OneCat car for sale at £2,500 here. Is the car available now in Oz? If so where and at what price? Thanks Emmie Hi,

I am living in England but shortly will be returning to Australia.
Have read about the MDI OneCat car for sale at £2,500 here.
Is the car available now in Oz?
If so where and at what price?
Thanks
Emmie

]]> By: MARSCHNER http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-890 MARSCHNER Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:54:38 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-890 If you are interested to invest in the MDI company, my wife and I are willing to sell some of our shares of MDI. We support financially MDI since 1992 and hold then so 1 % of the capital. After 16 years we decide to realise a part of our investment ! Our selling price will be less (market oblige) as the last transfers made by M Nègre himself (he held 2/3 of the capital). If you have a serious interest please write us : martinmarschner(at)hotmail.com If you are interested to invest in the MDI company, my wife and I are willing to sell some of our shares of MDI. We support financially MDI since 1992 and hold then so 1 % of the capital.
After 16 years we decide to realise a part of our investment !
Our selling price will be less (market oblige) as the last transfers made by M Nègre himself (he held 2/3 of the capital). If you have a serious interest please write us : martinmarschner(at)hotmail.com

]]> By: Sally http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-877 Sally Sat, 15 Mar 2008 07:29:57 +0000 http://altfuelsaustralia.wordpress.com/2007/12/03/mdis-air-car-to-be-built-in-melbourne/#comment-877 It sounds great! being built in Australia sounds almost too good to be true, does anyone know when they're actually planning on doing this? I checked their website but it's very elusive on details... It sounds great! being built in Australia sounds almost too good to be true, does anyone know when they’re actually planning on doing this? I checked their website but it’s very elusive on details…

]]>