The CityCAT, which is made by MDI, will be the first vehicle to run on compressed air, and will go on sale next summer in India. The zero-emission vehicle reportedly has a top speed of 68 mph, can go 125 miles per tank, and only take minutes to refill. It will be priced at $12,700.
You gotta wonder why we haven't heard any news on this technology as a possible way of going green?..
To the best of my knowledge there aren't any major carmakers looking into air compression as a way to proceed.
Full story here.
Full story here.
ateixeira says:
09:03 AM, 06/ 1/07
I'm surprised they can store enough energy to move that thing 125 miles.
comp386 says:
09:14 AM, 06/ 1/07
Discovery Channel's Futurecar program talked about this. Looked really cool actually and I'm amazed by how well it works. I tuned out of the program though when they started talking about compressed air being able to achieve perpetual motion. Yeah... right...
7driver says:
10:22 AM, 06/ 1/07
In terms of efficiency, I would guess it would stink. There's just too many conversions going on from chemical to potential to kinetic energy. Refilling alone will generate heat as you compress the air and that heat energy will eventually dissipate into the atmosphere. I don't think the concept would work here in the USA where the primary focus is on a reduction of national total energy consumption.
However, I think it'd work very well in India where they are more concerned about air quality than energy consumption. They can concentrate all the energy production at one point, then process/filter/manage the heck out of that point of production. Point of use, it's nothing but clean air being emitted.
steve_ says:
02:18 PM, 06/ 1/07
I'm surprised too - I saw some air engine links a while ago and it didn't sound all that feasible. Nice find Bob!
tirthankar_b says:
01:25 PM, 06/ 5/07
A good link about air powered cars featuring two videos:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/worlds-first-air-powered-car-introduced/
flounderman says:
06:38 PM, 11/23/10
I HAVE BEE INTERESTED IN THESE CARS FOR YEARS!
WANT ONE TO PULL BEHIND A MOTORHOME ! DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN BUY ONE?
e-mail me , Thanks