The analysis, imho, really should be how efficiently the entire system,
including the auto, uses energy. This compressed air car takes a quantum of
energy in the form of electricity, and uses it to compress the air. Then it
releases the air to drive the auto. The power plant efficiency, and the
compressor's have to be factored in to the picture. The power plant's
efficiency should reflect the cost of obtaining the fuel and the disposal of
waste products.
The conventional auto uses refined fuel, the cost of transportation, etc.
reflected in its price. The cost of disposal of its waste products needs to
include the cost of pollution, which seems hard to quantify, and needs to be
balanced with the same concerns regarding the stationary power plants the
air car relies upon.
You may find that the air car loses out on the energy efficiency, and only
moves the pollution "upstream" to the power plant.
I agree with Fred Sisson in that the older cars have already created their
impact on the environment when built, and if kept up, will have impact only
where their concentrations are high.
Of course, Morgans utilize a renewable resource, wood, to a large degree, so
if you build new cars, more of them should be Morgans.:) John F. Bates 56
+4, other lesser vehicles
|