Jet vs. Wheel Efficiency: Which is More Effective for Land-Based Vehicles?

[SMD1990]

Let's suppose one wanted to move a wheeled, land-based vehicle. Generally, which would be more efficient, and why? Using a jet of air straight out the back (like the Batmobile seen in the 1989 Batman movie) or absorbing most of jet's thrust through a turbine and delivering that force to the wheels? So, pushing on air or pushing on a turbine connected to a wheel?

 

[cjl]

Generally, applying the power to the wheels will be more efficient.

 

[sophiecentaur]

This would be because the Kinetic energy transferred to the Earth would be vanishingly small, when you use a wheel, (the Earth doesn't move backwards, measurably) whereas there is a lot of (much more) kinetic energy transferred to the very fast moving exhaust gases. So the efficiency for the wheels is nearly 100% and the efficiency for the jet would be, initially (before the car is actually moving) 0%.