Zero Pollution compressed Air Car set for U.S. launch in 2010

15:03 February 28, 2008 PST

Zero Pollution compressed Air Car Image: www.zeropollutionmotors.us

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The Zero-Pollution MDI Air Car, invented in France and licensed by Tata Motors in India, is coming to American shores. Zero Pollution Motors have announced they will begin taking reservations for the first U.S. deliveries in the next couple of months, but it will be 2010 before Americans get their first taste of the ingenious compressed-air motor, which runs to 35mph entirely on air, or uses a trickle of petrol to heat and compress more air to reach higher speeds up to 90mph. It'll cost next to nothing to run (how do 30,000km service intervals sound?), have a range of up to 1000 miles, and retail for well under US$20,000.

We've written before about the promising potential of compressed air as the next energy storage medium for road cars, and it seems the concept is starting to gather some serious momentum. After signing a mass-production agreement with India's largest auto manufacturer, Zero Pollution has announced the beginning of a marketing push into the U.S.A.

Pre-orders for the air car will be taken in early 2008 on the Zero Pollution website, and initial U.S. deliveries for a 6-seater, 4-door, 75 hp, dual-energy MDI Air Car are anticipated for 2010.

The air car has also been one of the first entries in the multi-million dollar Automotive XPrize competition, which aims to reward innovators and inspire a new generation of super-efficient, 100mph+ vehicles to help free mankind from its oil addiction.

Check out our original look at the air car for more information on the amazing multifunction compressed air engine, as well as more information about the air car's development.

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User Comments (5)

.. our new car? ...

Facebook User

- July 8, 2009 @ 10:07 am CDT

Well look it is coming to this country this coming year. a car to run on compress air, and you can tell the oil compies to take a hike and keep all that gas money in your saving account. It is about time. So read it an rejoice. This has been around for a long time. Enrico Granse

Facebook User

- December 23, 2009 @ 08:12 am CST

I'm cheerfully optimistic about these cars! But realistically I know its going to be difficult to deal with the oil conglomerates. Even if the car makes it to the market, they will probably find ways to hinder or destroy the Air car. Probably by preventing gas stations from purchasing the air compressing stations. IMO the hybrids were an acceptable compromise to their profits, because either way we are stuck using oil.

*Crosses fingers hoping I'm wrong

Dan Allen

- January 18, 2010 @ 03:01 pm CST

I will believe this when I see it. This car has been promised for years now, and as I believe compressed air tech will never make it, I think after all the beat ups that it will never happen!

The compression required is near impossible to obtain economically. A standard garage air compressor delivering 160 psi uses heaps of electricity, imagine what a compressor pumping out 1400 psi would cost to run and maintain, makes no sense at all.

Ernest John Langmaid

- January 20, 2010 @ 10:01 pm CST

Dan Allen:

Makes no sense at all???

You can buy a "personal" 5,000 psi compressor for around $3K for filling SCUBA tanks (to around 3,000 psi) that you can stick in your garage. This technology has been around for decades.

Mark P. Mitsch

- January 28, 2010 @ 09:01 am CST