Car runs on air. Really! 2010 MDI AIRPod

TaffetaWhite · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 12:57 AM

Penny a mile? Sounds good to me. And it has a joystick instead of a steering wheel. I wonder if the horn sounds like a video game rocket? haha

Just a taste of the article (plenty of images with the article too):

The 2010 MDI AIRPod emits no emissions and runs on nothing but compressed air. Yes, it sounds like another one of those crackpot inventions, but we traveled to Nice, France, for an exclusive test of the world's only "air car." And here at the research and development center of Luxembourg-based Motor Development International (MDI), the AIRPod seems like more than just a bright idea.

Source: 2010 MDI AIRPod First Drive on Inside Line

Speed Read

First Impressions:
Maybe it'll save the world. Or maybe not. We'll see.

Featured Specs

5.4 hp; 11 lb-ft of torque
180cc twin-cylinder engine
30-mph top speed
90-mile cruising range

Rubba Burna · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 12:59 AM

sooner or later, ill hate this more than the prius xD lol

stevet47 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 01:10 AM

The only problem is, how do they compress that air?
Probably with a gas engine.

Now if they used an electric compressor run off solar/wind, that would be cool.

TaffetaWhite · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubba Burna

sooner or later, ill hate this more than the prius xD lol

I almost spewed my wine! You're funny!

TaffetaWhite · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevet47

The only problem is, how do they compress that air?
Probably with a gas engine.

Now if they used an electric compressor run off solar/wind, that would be cool.

That was brought up in the comments, that it takes a lot of energy to compress the air.

I do agree that if they can figure out how to compress the air using non-oil-related sources, it would be a fine city car.

Obviously it won't do the trick for everyone, but also mentioned in the article is that the engines are scalable. They can be made to run buses, trucks, larger cars. They aren't limited to micro cars.

The big markets will be India, in the deal with Tata. And Europe, for those tiny streets. The limit of 30 mph has to be surpassed, to a minimum of 45 I'd say. Simply to qualify to run on regular roads.

The little GEM electric car, it can be driven on streets, as long as the speed limit is 30 or under. That just won't do for all areas. And the long charging time is not that useful.

This AIRPod can supposedly fuel-up (would that be air-up?) in about 2 minutes. That makes it much more usable for regular driving.

For commuting, if they can get the speed up and the safety regulations met, it would be awesome.

We all know we will run out of oil eventually. No matter what car we have, it will be obsolete. We have to do something.