Power source?

[TransformerRobot]

Another problem I've encountered while working on my animated series; the bikes' fuel source.

 

They're magnetically levitated and jet-propelled, the fastest one of them can travel is 360 km/h, but what would their power source be?

 

I'm trying to realistically think of one that wouldn't pollute nearly as much as petroleum fuels, since it's set in the distant future and more is done overtime to give us cleaner air and water.

[elementcollector1]

Thorium-plasma battery.

[TransformerRobot]

What makes you think such a battery is possible?

[John Cuthber]

It doesn't need to be possible.
Ask Captain Kirk about the dilithium crystals.

[Phi for All]

I think they should have an enormous space-based solar array. The array powers the roads somehow? or maybe charged universal vehicle fuel cells are available to swap for depleted ones.

[TransformerRobot]

Are thermonuclear jet engines possible?

[Phi for All]

Are thermonuclear jet engines possible?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_Nuclear_Propulsion

 

Problematic, apparently.

[TransformerRobot]

Okay, what about a VASIMR-esque engine system?

[Enthalpy]

I don't quite understand the difficulty. Bikes run already at 360km/h and use gasoline for that, in a piston engine. Have a propeller if no wheel is available, or a turbofan to look more S-F. Consume electricity if you wish, from a battery or a hydrogen fuel cell - both easy with existing technology.

 

I nearly wrote "360km/s", and this speed would need exotic engines and fuels. Not 360km/h.

[TransformerRobot]

Okay, that sounds more realistic, but would it still look as cool as this?

 

 

If not, how could I make turbofan bikes look cooler?