It is just compressed air, though it’s an insane amount of energy stored in that form. The number that will actually have that function will be so small that it probably doesn’t matter, though the emissions of car-centric transport are absolutely crazy. give me more trains!
Scott Manley estimated it at around 45kWh, so about 2/3 of a charge. Not that much energy in the grand scheme of things, but not anywhere near practical either.
By car battery standards, an absurdly large amount of energy. And it’s released in a pretty inefficient manner. So not a good plan for EV range.
I don’t think you could reasonably use them on the road without harming people around you either (though Musk’s target audience may not be very concerned about that aspect).
I think it works for track usage / showing off to your wealthy friends. I have no clue how the flying version would work control wise, as you’d need to plan the entire flight ahead of time so it could verify it’s possible (before you take off down the Grand Canyon and run out of gas a few seconds later). Probably one of the reasons it’s not being sold to everyone.
It is just compressed air, though it’s an insane amount of energy stored in that form. The number that will actually have that function will be so small that it probably doesn’t matter, though the emissions of car-centric transport are absolutely crazy. give me more trains!
Sorry, best we can do is reinvent a bus for the 50th time and make it get stuck at a red light.
I’m curious about the actual energy cost of the compressors tbh. How much battery range will go to car RCS thrusters?
Scott Manley estimated it at around 45kWh, so about 2/3 of a charge. Not that much energy in the grand scheme of things, but not anywhere near practical either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex4Qg-gkLNg&t=530
By car battery standards, an absurdly large amount of energy. And it’s released in a pretty inefficient manner. So not a good plan for EV range.
I don’t think you could reasonably use them on the road without harming people around you either (though Musk’s target audience may not be very concerned about that aspect).
I think it works for track usage / showing off to your wealthy friends. I have no clue how the flying version would work control wise, as you’d need to plan the entire flight ahead of time so it could verify it’s possible (before you take off down the Grand Canyon and run out of gas a few seconds later). Probably one of the reasons it’s not being sold to everyone.
EVERYTHING is better with more trains :)