In Taiwan, they have designed an air powered moped. Only problem is that it only goes about 3/4 miles on a charge of 2 1/2 pounds of air. I suppose that the rider could carry a hand air pump and just ride and pump..........LOL It would be nice if they could develop this technology!

Researchers at the National Central University in Taiwan has developed a motorcycle that can run on compressed air, as oppose to petrol.

Jem Stansfield's similar air-powered bike
Researchers Yu-Ta Shen and Yean-Ren Hwang developed the motor because motorcycles and scooters are the most popular form of transport in Taiwan and therefore they account for the majority of pollution in Taiwan.

Hwang said: "In Taiwan, air pollution is a very serious problem in the city. Twenty percent of all air pollution comes from motorcycles."

The air-powered motorcycle would still require energy to compress the air. But the amount of pollution associated with the energy and motorcycle will depend on what type of power plant provides electricity to the area the motorbike is been run.

At present, the prototype can only carry two and a half gallons of air, which is enough to carry the bike and rider three quarters of a mile.

In the future, the two researchers hope the bikes could hold enough air to travel for 20 miles without refueling.

Experts in the air-powered vehicle field are not convinced that a motorcycle is the best way to use the technology.

Shiva Vencat of MDI, said: "We don't think it's a viable product because you're talking about a very, very limited amount of compressed air you can put on a bike."

 

no-offence, but air pressure engines have been around for like 20 years

they have one now that runs off a series of rings (like a rotary engine, but layers) and its in golf carts... its supposed to to put out like 96% efficiency. i saw it on a show called "beyond tomorrow"

 

hook that bitch up to a hydro tank and booo yaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

oooh a whole 3/4 mile wow, i think i'd ride a bicycle if it was that far to work.

just FYI - any engine can be converted to run on air pressure. engiens are basicly just air pumps anyways so converting them to run on steam is as simple as a new cam, a pressure/flow control valve, and the removal of all the old electronics.

 

cheyup... only difference is it would be a 2-stroke instead of four because with steam power you get to ditch the compression and ignition strokes.

 

ie - twice the power per cylinder if your air pressure is the same as the combustion pressure

 

Yea well my engine runs on hopes and dreams. =P

 

must be a pretty slow one then