This will go down well with the oil companies:-

http://www.alt-energy.info/hybrid-electric-cars/tata-motors-minicat-air-car-to-be-released-in-august-2012/

That is mental!

It's been done before. I'm always surprised at just how far these cars go on a tank of air.

The other one that gets me are the flywheel powered buses

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrobus

http://www.ricardo.com/en-GB/News--Media/Press-releases/News-releases1/2011/Flybus-to-start-testing-first-flywheel-hybrid-bus/

Aspman yes the flywheel technology is very interesting and i believe Jaguar are experimenting with it along with traditional engines to give much better economy.

http://www.economist.com/node/21540386

The air engine is nothing new: you can buy model kits of Ferrari V12s which run on compressed air so I am surprised this has not been explored further unless, as you say, the oil company lobbying is behind it. Slightly diverting from subject but "Who Killed the Electric Car" and "Revenge of the Electric Car" are fascinating documentaries on alternative power and the car and oil industries take on it.

Edited 13 March, 201214 yr by Matt Bodycombe