MDI Unveils Radically Designed Air-Powered Concept Car
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island on 10.27.08
A Radical Design for A Simple Idea
Vehicles powered by compressed air, much as plug-in hybrids and hydrogen cars, seem to be perennially stuck in the concept car phase, with talk of commercial releases just around the corner. However, the promise of air cars--which, as the name implies, run on compressed air--is in some ways greater than any other vehicle, as the only energy they need is the electricity required to compress the air that goes into the tank. Of course, air cars currently are limited in their range and speed, but just as we've seen with electric cars such as the Think and the ZENN, there are numerous applications for low-mileage, low-speed cars. Clearly, air cars could fill that niche quite well.
MDI, which "has been pioneering, or at least attempting to pioneer, the compressed-air-powered car for the last 20 years," has now come up with a new air car called the Airpod, which is designed to fill just that niche. With a top speed of 40 MPH, a range of 130 miles, and seating for three, the uniquely designed vehicle could work very well for a lot of people. Sounds pretty good, but alas, as with so many efficient vehicles, be they prototypes or not, this car won't be available in the U.S. until 2010, although it will supposedly hit the European market next year.
Via: Yahoo Green
More on Air-Powered Cars
Pressure For Change From Air-Car
The Compressed Air-Car is Here
What About Compressed Air Cars?
The Air-Powered Motorcycle by Jem Stansfield
More on Concept Cars
How to Make Awesome Cars a Reality (330 mpg diesel-hybrid)
Conceptualize this: GM Unveils Yet Another Concept Car
Honda's Improved Fuel Cell Concept Car Unveiled
Toyota Unveils Hybrid Pedal-Electric Concept 'Car'
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- A123 Systems Wants to Mass Produce Li-Ion Batteries in USA
- Quick Green Investing Tips for 2009
- Top Fuel Efficiency DIY Hacks, Part II
- BYD F3DM Plug-in Hybrid Goes On Sale in China, Beats GM to the Punch
why do so many alternative fuel vehicles look so ridiculous? If you want more people to use, at lest them make them look like a car, not a carnival ride
Really?
Round windows? What were they thinking? And what the hell is up with those two mini windows by the A pillar?
Either this is truly brilliant engineering that transcends form or its just an idea gone horribly wrong.
There is no need to convert electricity it to some other form of energy storage - hydrogen, compressed air, giant wound up rubber bands. The reason that these cars stay in they concept world is that in the real world the numbers don't make any sense. All of these schemes only add more stages of efficiency losses and so they are not by any means greater, or greener, than the most straightforward solution, which is to use electricity to move the car.
I'm not sure how you think AIR vehicles have more "promise" than plug-in electric, "as the only energy they need is the electricity required to compress the air" - PIEV only need electricity for the batteries.
In looking at the concept car, they appear to be missing a lot of required features - no bumpers and no front headlights. Will this vehicle be restricted to daylight hours only?
Don't think I'll hold my breath for the next available AIR car.
I want this car!
I've wanted a car from MDI since I first heard about their compressed air engine. When?
When?!
Many Americans want low cost, fuel efficient cars.
Kei cars are a special class of cars in Japan. They are limited to an engine size of 660cc and have vehicle size, but not weight, restrictions. They are made by many different Japanese car companies and they are mature designs that are reliable, and get up to 60 mpg. They can cost less than $10,000.
If these cars were converted to hybrids, they might get 100 mpg.
However, they can't be driven in the U.S. because they can't meet U.S. crash test requirements.
I believe that adding my crumple box invention to a Kei car will allow it to pass U.S. safety requirements. Then it could be driven in the U.S.
Some American auto companies have ties to Kei car manufacture. They could make these cars.
Please help me promote this idea.
See my website www.safersmallcars.com
Perhaps those "windows" in the A pillar are the front end lights? Why not round windows? Looks odd no doubt, why judge until you see the car up close, and personal? Until they have a track record for the driving I need to do, I'm not going to get very excited over compressed air powered vehicles.
How safe is a car like this?
Ok, sounds great.....right? A car that emits nearly zero emissions. Now lets think about this....
Let's start at ground zero, the car uses electricity to compress the air. The electricity comes from a coal power plant that has TONS of emission, then the power trickles down hundreds of miles of power lines to get to the car (HUGE efficiency losses).
Then when you plug the car in, the little electric motor in the car has to convert electricity into PSI via a electric motor (efficiency loss) AND a compressor (more efficiency loss "heat").
Then the compressed air has to be decompressed in a fashion that it creates motion (ie generator) in turn creating MORE efficiency loss.
Then if you so choose to add fuel of your choice and use the combustion engine to pump the compressor, you again have losses.
One word:
Main Entry: greenwash
Part of Speech: n
Definition: the practice of promoting environmentally friendly programs to deflect attention from an organization's environmentally unfriendly or less savory activities; also called greenwashing
Example: Many large industries are using greenwashing techniques to sell themselves these days.
Etymology: green 'environmentally friendly' + (white)wash 'conceal flaws'