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Old 04-17-2005, 10:43 AM
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Hot_Georgia_2004 Hot_Georgia_2004 is offline
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Real Name: Steve
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Hybrids: 2004 Civic CVT Hybrid
Posts: 1,676
Default Re: PRIUS+ Conversion Technical Group Open For Viewing

Erick,
The air car technology is interesting but I wonder what the crash rating would be?
The reason for my curiosity is because its over 1,000 lbs lighter than my Civic. Its maximum load is almost as much as the car weighs.
Safety is very important for my family.

The "Family Sedan" maximum range is just under 200 miles according to its website http://www.theaircar.com/ this is pretty good but I'd like to see this figure possibly reduced in exchange for a more safe chassis.
Or,
To keep the range and make it as a hybrid technology: Electric assisting the air motor or some other arrangement the point being to put it in a safer, larger, heavier chassis.

There is also a concern of riding with a tank holding air at over 4,300PSI.
I've read about these tanks and understand that in case of accident they crack and safely release the pressure.
I'm not sure if this is so in a more severe accident where there may have otherwise been survivors.
For example an oxygen cylinder used for welding is pressurised to about half the figure and becomes a dangerous, distructive missile if the valve is breached.

I'm sure all of these issues would be fully tested and addressed before it hits the market.

.

Efficient drivers do it better.
1003 miles a tank personal record. 74MPG calculated. HCH1 CVT

Last edited by Hot_Georgia_2004; 04-17-2005 at 10:46 AM.
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