I took a look at the possibility of a return to steam locomotives in a previous post. But what about steam automobiles?
Unlike an internal combustion engine where you need fuel to explode in the cylinders, heating water for steam lends itself to more fuel choices (wood, coal, oil, propane, etc.). That should be a advantage in today’s world.
Are steam cars practical?
The main complaint about early steam cars was the delay before the cars could be driven while the water boiled. However, this Wikipedia article points out that the Doble Model E steam car could be started in just 30 seconds:
The 1924 model Doble Series E steam car could run for 1,500 miles (2,400 km) before its 24-gallon water tank needed to be refilled; even in freezing weather, it could be started from cold and move off within 30 seconds, and once fully warmed could be relied upon to reach speeds in excess of 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).
Modern Steam Cars?
Another Wikipedia article points out that Saab, Pelland, and Volkswagon have experimented with steam powered vehicles in more recent years. The article states:
Today most… …problems have been satisfactorily solved, but currently the re-introduction of any modern steam car project would run up against the problem of a general loss of steam engine culture which would make it difficult to set up an infrastructure of spares and qualified mechanics. It would also be necessary to meet more stringent safety standards and legislation than existed in the heyday of steam-powered road vehicles. The biggest arguments in favour of such a movement would be: greatly reduced air pollution without recourse to filters, silence in operation, and direct drive without a gearbox. However the competition which development of a modern steam-powered vehicle has to consider is not so much from internal combustion-powered cars as from electric, hydrogen-powered and hybrid vehicles.
I recently wrote to VW inquiring about their steam engine project and received the following response:
Dear SP Gass,
Your interest in the VW brand is appreciated!
There are no current plans to produce a steam powered model to the
United States. Your feedback regarding the desirability of steam
technology is taken under advisement, and we appreciate your time in
reflecting it.Thank you for visiting vw.com!
Bob
Volktalk
Post a Comment