What's
this?
It's Tata Motors' Air Car.
It's the little car that could ...
Tata
Motors of India's Mini CAT first hit the streets of
India in the summer-fall of 2011. Say, 'Tata,' to big oil!
The
Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy N. for Luxembourg-based
MDI, uses compressed ambient air to push its engine's pistons
and make the car go.
The Air Car, called the 'Mini CAT', could cost around $8,177 in
the U.S., or 365,757 rupees in India.
The Mini CAT, which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular
chassis, and a body of fiberglass that is glued not welded and
powered by compressed air. A microprocessor is used to control
all electrical functions of the car. One tiny radio transmitter
sends instructions to the lights, turn signals and every other
electrical device on the car, which are not many.
The temperature of the clean air expelled by the exhaust pipe
is between 0-15 degrees below zero, which makes it suitable for
use by the internal air conditioning system with no need for gases
or loss of power.
There are no keys, just an access card which can be read by the
car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less
than 50 rupees per 100 km. That's about a tenth the cost of a
car running on gas. It's mileage is about double that of the most
advanced electric car, a factor which makes it a perfect choice
for city motorists. The car has a top speed of 105 km per hour
or 60 mph and would have a range of around 300 km or 185 miles
between refuels. Refilling the car will take place at adapted
gas stations with special air compressors. A fill up will only
take two to three minutes and costs approximately 100 rupees and
the car will be ready to go another 300 kilometers.
This car can also be filled at home with it's on board compressor.
It will take 3-4 hours to refill the tank but it can be done while
you sleep.
Because there is no combustion engine, changing its 1 liter of
vegetable oil is only necessary every 50,000 km or 30,000 miles.
Due to its simplicity, there is very little maintenance to be
done on this car.
This Air Car almost sounds to good to be true. Its introduction
could drastically alter the environmental, economic and geo-political
dynamic of the entire world.
World's First
Air-Powered - Zero Emissions Car
This six-seater taxi, which should be available in India next
year, is powered
entirely by a tank filled with compressed air. Say, 'Bye-bye,'
to Exxon-Mobil!
