Newsflash! 1 horsepower custom bio-electric hybrid good for 28 mph

[MetroMPG]

To get moving you simply turn on the treadmill and wait for the "engine" to start trotting. The horse's movement, aided by 20 gears, recharges the treadmill's battery, and keeps the vehicle moving. It can go at quite a canter, reaching 28mph during a road test.

I'm guessing that's a battery-aided 28 mph.

Full article, which also discusses the cooling system for the "engine" and the touchy subject of "emissions" : The Naturmobil is the ultimate green car | Environment | The Guardian

[dcb]

Where is the "Exhaust"?

[Daox]

lol, thats cool.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by dcb

Where is the "Exhaust"?

I'm not sure, but suddenly CO poisoning looks appealing if that vehicle interior is sealed.

On the plus side, one of the other "emissions" can be provided to Merc/VW diesel owners whose cars have urea tanks.

[evolutionmovement]

Since they closed up those horse slaughterhouses, maybe they can actually find a use for all the discarded horses that have been dumped on the market lately by their "animal lover" owners who can't afford them.

[RobertSmalls]

I've always wanted to connect a horse to some wheels via a crankshaft or two, but I guess horses can't be taught to pedal. What a shame, because a man goes three times as fast on a bike than on foot, so imagine how fast a horsebike might go.

I'd like to see a muscle, supported by an artificial heart+lung+kidneys, grafted to a machine to be used as a source of power. Just add sugar and O2, and it gives off CO2 and H2O. But would it be more efficient than a combustion engine or a solar-electric arrangement?

[dcb]

Lol, I would be more than content to just ride the horse myself and hitch up a cart if something needs hauling.

[MadisonMPG]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

I've always wanted to connect a horse to some wheels via a crankshaft or two, but I guess horses can't be taught to pedal. What a shame, because a man goes three times as fast on a bike than on foot, so imagine how fast a horsebike might go.

I'd like to see a muscle, supported by an artificial heart+lung+kidneys, grafted to a machine to be used as a source of power. Just add sugar and O2, and it gives off CO2 and H2O. But would it be more efficient than a combustion engine or a solar-electric arrangement?

I would think that lactic acid build up would keep you from driving too long.

[greasemonkee]

Doubt this vehicle would pass the tail pipe sniffer tests, methane content too high.