While the idea is certainly not new, running on air is finally gaining momentum as people are taking a good hard look at fuel conserving and environmentally friendly transportation.
Motor Development International (MDI) has recently revealed the AIRPod, the first vehicle to run purely on air, and quite possibly the greenest means of getting around.
Controlled by a joystick, the AIRPod has a top speed of 75 km/h and is rated to get 200km per fill of compressed air with an extended range of 600 km in the dual-biofuel version. Refilling the carbon fiber compressed air bottle takes a marginal 1.2 minutes. Its versatile design makes it an excellent platform for golf carts, utility vehicles, and off-road farming vehicle.
While smaller than a SmartForTwo, the AIRPod is supposed to fit four inside, though anyone over six feet will probably count as more than one. Also, despite its size and overgrown beetle-like vulnerable appearance, the AIRPod is asserted to have top notch safety standards by the manufacturers.
IT MDI-Energy Ltd.—a combination of MDI of Luxemborg and France and IndraNet Technologies of New Zealand—is also planning on using their compressed air technology to produce low-cost air conditioning units, and hot and grey water recycling units.
Our take? It’s a pity they don’t have a compressed air engine powerful enough to run a normal size/weight automobile. But then again, we might run out of air one day. Psyche.
via GreenCarWebsite
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