How cool would it be if you could fill up your car for about two dollars, and drive as much as you want, secure in the knowledge that you are not contributing to global warming or polluting the environment in any way? This pipe dream may soon be a reality: French engineer Guy Negre has developed a new vehicle which runs entirely off of compressed air. Even better, the only byproduct emitted from the vehicle is clean, breathable oxygen.
The new compressed air car is scheduled to hit the streets in August of 2008. But don’t go looking for one at your local US car dealership just yet. Initially, the zero emissions cars will be sold in India, where taxi companies have already placed large orders for the cheap-to-operate, planet-friendly vehicles.
The air car’s engine works by forcing small but consistent amounts of compressed air into the engine block, moving the pistons up and down and creating torque. Normal car engines run by igniting small controlled “explosions” in the engine block to force the pistons back and forth. But because the compressed air engine does not use a combustion design, the engine does not retain heat. In fact, you can safely touch the engine block while the car is running.
With the compressed air engine running relatively cool, the chassis of the car can be made from lightweight aluminum, instead of steal. This makes the overall vehicle much lighter, and increases the efficiency of the design.
A company in the United States called “Zero Pollution Motors” will produce the first compressed air-powered cars in the U. S., though it will likely be 2010 before they are available to the public. The CityCAT, the smallest model of the line, is expected to retail at less than $13,000 US dollars, making it a practical and shockingly efficient mode of transportation. The cars have an average range of 201 km, and can hit 110 kph on the open road.
Best of all, the CityCAT can be refueled in only a few minutes at gas stations using a custom air compressor. The estimated cost for a full refill? Two dollars!
But what if you can’t make it to a station with the special air compressor? No problem — the CityCAT can also be refueled using the car’s built in air compressor by simply plugging into any electrical outlet. This option takes a bit longer — about four hours to completely refill the tanks using the onboard compressor.
And the most amazing thing about the compressed air car? Frankly, it’s that we haven’t heard more about it in the news. Technology this innovative, and potentially life-changing, should be the top story of every news broadcast in the U. S., especially now, when the price of gasoline is causing so much concern.
It’s a bit of a mystery why there has been so little media attention given to the compressed air car in the US; but at least Zero Pollution Motors is taking the initiative to bring the vehicles to America.
This is pretty exciting..and when there is a problem there is a solution..So we can hold on for a few years I guess…Anyway the inventiveness and genius is coming out…carol stanley author “For Kids 59.99 and Over”
Comment by carol stanley — July 16, 2008 @ 2:36 pm