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Sexy Carbon Dioxide Powered Cars

July 27, 2010 by Joanna
Filed under: Green Drives

Fuel Vapor's Ale

It is obvious that you might have heard of diesel fuel powered cars, biodiesel powered cars and on a more modern context, solar powered cars as well as electric powered cars. But have you ever heard of cars that are powered by carbon dioxide? No? Well, this is the first for me too. So, let’s take a look at these cars, learn how they work and what are their advantages as well as disadvantages, shall we?

From several readings, it is found that these carbon dioxide powered cars or CO2 cars are somewhat similar to pinewood derby vehicles. So why are these cars called CO2 cars? Well, it is obviously due to the fact that a CO2 cartridge powers these cars. Yes, you heard right!

As of today, CO2 powered cars are not produced or used commercially. Most of these cars are used as means to learn and experiment. In the United States or America, these cars are used for the purpose of learning. High schools use these cars for engineering classes. They learn all about the design of the car as well as the dynamics. As for university levels, students learn to make their own model of these cars.

Many university level engineering students are capable of producing their own CO2 cars, not for their own usage, of course. They are produced as part of a learning process. These CO2 cars are well known for their aerodynamics. In some parts of the world, CO2 cars re used as race cars for small—scale racing derbies.

YeZ Concept Car

Engineers around the world are trying to figure out the aerodynamics of CO2 and how they are better than Pinecars. One of the advantages of carbon dioxide powered cars is that its cartridge mechanism guarantees these cars to be launched simultaneously with the same amount of power a pinecar has.

Although, some engineers have proven that both pinecars and CO2 powered cars are almost the same in terms of power. In the end, it all comes down to aerodynamics. A good aerodynamic design is what it takes to make one car better than the other.

As of today, CO2 powered cars are made of wood. The carving, design and painting depend entirely on the maker or producer. As they are usually a choice for the young hearts, these cars come in a spectacular range of design full of creativity and innovativeness.

If you are wondering about the CO2 cartridge that drives these cars, you will be surprised to know that a CO2 powered car only runs on an 8-gram cartridge. If you are a car junkie, you might have come across an 8-gram cartridge. This type of cartridge that holds CO2 is usually found or used in seltzer bottles and bicycle tire inflation systems.

As of today, CO2 powered cars are widely used to study aerodynamics and for racing purposes. I think it is a good platform for the automobile industry in developing countries. The study of these cars can lead to greater and better creations and findings that will the automobile industry to the next level. CO2 cars might not be commercially produced for the public use anytime soon. But, it certainly is a good experimental automobile for those with a need for speed!