French inventer will be selling air car in France, India and China. Why not

[nelson s]

use this technology in USA? You can see videos of the automobile that runs on compressed air in youtube. Go to www.youtube.com and search for air car. There are several videos. This also came out at History Channel.

[jgmafb]

Because,to many profit from the sale of fuel,(mainly gov.officials).It's like we import more oil from Canada than we do from the Mid-east but,we let the Mid set the price of our fuel.We also have more fuel in Colorado than they have in mid-east but?????????What about the collegde student that invented a engine that will go 100 miles per.gallon.

[The Voice of Reason]

This car would never meet US safety standards. Also, where does the energy to compress the air come from?

[earthlover7]

I can't remember where I saw it, but I recently heard that this wonderful little car is coming to the USA next year! I'll be first in line! I never though I could love a car so much....

[ken]

It is probably at the experimental stage and not in development phase. Also, vested interests car companies and petrol companies don't want to lose their investments, hence if a car that runs on air were to become mass produced, how would it be for the oil companies? They'll be out of business, and wouldn't want to encourage this sort of development unless it involves them and their profit sharing arrangements. Remember the Chryler's electric car development project, tested them out and had them squashed in pile of steel. When the time comes for them to earn profits will they be interested in the invention.

[donfletcheryh]

Of course it could come to the USA if the vehicle can meet safety testing standards. But it will likely not be exported to the USA until 3rd world demand is satisfied, and then European. It does not really accomplish anything to sell into the most difficult market while leaving more obliging markets unserved.

Air car of course requires a clean energy source to power the compressors. If America adds an extra kWh of demand to power air cars, it will be produced from coal fired plants. We may argue that in some markets a large part of the power is coming from hydro or nuclear. True, but not relevant.

Even Quebec that produces all its power from water or wind, and exports a lot to north eastern states, were it to power air cars would have to reduce its exports, so that someone down in New York or Pennsylvania would be forced to use more coal for their power.

British Columbia produces most of its power from hydro, but any increase in demand means it must import power produced via coal in Alberta.

This is the way our grid system forces someone to use coal if anyone in North America adds to the total grid consumption.

[rhsaunders]

Because it won't work. There is some fundamental physics at work which makes the concept pretty much impractical: in order to keep the lift power within reason, you need a large wingspan -- and on the road, that is a considerable nuisance.