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Compressed Air Car - Coming Soon to a Dealer Near You?
They emit zero pollution, get over 100 mpg, and have a range of more than 800 miles. Could cars that run on compressed air be the future of clean transportation?
(Photo credit: Zero Pollution Motors)
Is the Compressed Air Car the Future of Eco-Friendly Cars?
Zero pollution, over 100 mpg and a reasonable price
If a car that runs on air sounds like a pipe dream that could never reach mass production, think again. In India, Tata Motors has already signed an agreement to begin building the cars, and pre-production begins in 2008. In the U.S., Zero Pollution Motors has an agreement to build the Air Car. ZPM will start taking orders in 2008 for delivery of cars in 2010. According to the ZPM website, the US version of the car will have a maximum speed of 96 mph, a range of 848 miles, and get the equivalent of 106 mpg. Zero Pollution Motors currently estimates the car will sell for $17,800.
If it lives up to its promise, the car could become popular with anyone looking for better fuel mileage and less pollution. Since the Air Car runs on compressed air stored in tanks like scuba divers use, it emits only air at speeds less than 35 mph. And the air expelled from the tail pipe is actually cleaner than the air used to fill the tank, according to the ZPM website. "This is because before compression, the air is run through carbon filters to eliminate dirt, dust, humidity, and other urban air impurities that could hamper the engine's performance," the site says.
At speeds over 35 mph, the car will use small amounts of fuel, but ZPM says the car will still emit "only 0.141lbs of CO2 per mile. That is up to 4 times less than the average vehicle and more than two times less than the cleanest vehicle available today."
Best Invention of 2007
TIME Magazine named the Air Car one of the
best inventions of 2007.
Air Car History
Vehicles that run on compressed air aren't actually a new idea.
1870s - Mekarski compressed air locomotive invented
1898 - Hoadley and Knight compressed air locomotive invented with a two-stage air engine that offered a greater range
1896 - Charles B. Hodges created an air car that was commercially successful; hundreds were sold to the mining industry
1912 - European three-stage air locomotive improved upon Hodges' design and were widely used in mines in Germany, Belgium and France
1979 - Terry Miller built and patented Air Car One for a cost of $1500
2002 - MDI Air Car publicly unveiled in South Africa
2007 - Tata Motors of India announced agreement with MDI to produce air cars in India
2008 - Zero Pollution Motors in the US plans to begin taking orders for a US Air Car for delivery in 2010
Interview with Air Car Inventor Guy Negre
A car that runs 200 miles on compressed air.
Europe and the rest of the world are developing new technologies that will give them the economic edge in technology and products, as America unthinkingly erodes into a third world nation as our politicians who are beholden to fossil fuel companies, legislate for them to make billions of dollars. A car that runs on compressed air (that should be an American idea and benefit America's economy), is a French invention that orchestrates old technologies into a new chassis. Behold this newsworthy clip (that is not ready for U.S. corporate controlled prime time news or even political debate) edited from HD Theater, "The Future Car: Fuel". Just another example of how corporations who control our legislative and executive branches of government are misallocating our resources, treasury and wealth, to insure their short term wealth and global domination, as we deteriorate economically and do nothing to preserve our economic leadership. What is America doing with its "talents" (see Matthew 25:14-25:39)?
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Air Car News from Zero Pollution Motors
The latest news from the US manufacturer of the Air Car
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byBBC Video on Compressed Air Car
BBC News highlights the Air Car
Compressed Air Car Articles
Read more about the Air Car
- gizmag - The Air Car - zero pollution and very low running costs
- Gizmag highlights benefits of air car
- EcoGeek - Air Car Ready for Production
- Article about air car's plans for production
- TreeHugger - What About Compressed Air Cars?
- Green view on compressed air cars
- BusinessWeek - The Air Car
- BusinessWeek article about Air Car
- Edmunds - A Mighty Wind? Compressed-Air Car Idea Gains Tailwind With Tata Backing
- Edmunds article about Indian manufacturer's plans to produce air car
More Green Cars in the News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWho's Talking About "Green Cars"?
What's the buzz in the blogosphere on fuel-efficient autos?
- Buy a Fuel Efficient Car
- No matter if you are looking for a new Abercrombie Kids or a second hand one, a Rocawear Watches which is fuel efficient is desirable. Choosing a car that is more fuel efficient will save you a Blue Peel of money during its lifespan. ...
- How much am I saving with a more fuel efficient vehicle?
- The 2008 Honda Fit, 34 mpg highway, is the most fuel efficient non-hybrid car on the market and is one of the chief competitors for the Toyota Prius. Ecological reasoning aside, when upgrading from a Honda Fit to a Toyota Prius, ...
- Around the web: Top universities, fuel-efficient police cars, the ...
- But rising fuel prices mean more departments are using hybrids and smaller more fuel-efficient cars. ? Park Cities, get ready for the Bushes. Sources are reporting that Laura Bush wants to move back to Highland Park when the president's ...
Would You Buy an Air Car?
Let us know your thoughts on the air car or other green autos!
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MusicMadness
A friend mentioned these to be a while ago, and it seems like the may be out early next year. I'd love to get one. Not sure if they'll be available in Canada though. Posted September 11, 2008 |
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lisadh
Hi Noy - If you're interested in ordering an Air Car, you can sign up for the email list at Zero Pollution Motors to be alerted when it becomes available. Posted August 04, 2008 |
Where can we order this car ?
Posted August 04, 2008
I would buy one right now! I've signed up with ZPM for updates on production and hope to be one of the first to get one in the USA!
Posted July 21, 2008
Looking forward to buy one
Posted July 04, 2008
Looking forward to buy one
Posted July 04, 2008
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MarcNorris
Excellent Lens. I heard about the air cars back in 2002 and had not heard anything since. I am so happy to hear that they are still around and that we might actually get to buy one in the near future. Posted July 02, 2008 |
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alicesy
Excellent Lens. I like the quality insight you have provided here about The Amazing Compressed Air Car. Keep up the good work. Posted June 27, 2008 |
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