Air Car in US? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

**jediknight36** · 11-03-2008, 07:20 AM

I turned to yahoo this morning and found this article front page. Check it out. I still haven't read it all.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home...rica%27s-Roads

Dunerunner · 11-03-2008, 08:54 AM

Yea! Tata builds them but they will have to work on the design if they expect Americans to buy them!!

**jediknight36** · 11-03-2008, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Yea! Tata builds them but they will have to work on the design if they expect Americans to buy them!!

I dont think these are Tata though. I was under the impression that its too expensive for Tata to build in the US and this was another company.

2smartArizona · 11-03-2008, 08:59 AM

I have seen air cars on tv and in France, and there is a guy developing them in Marseille, but they didn't look like these.

Dunerunner · 11-03-2008, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediknight36

I dont think these are Tata though. I was under the impression that its too expensive for Tata to build in the US and this was another company.

From the article:

The expertise needed to build a compressed air car, or CAV, is not rocket science, either. Years-old, off-the-shelf technology uses compressed air to drive old-fashioned car engine pistons instead of combusting gas or diesel fuel to create a burst of air to do the same thing. Indian carmaker Tata has no qualms about the technology. It has already bought the rights to make the car for the huge Indian market.

**jediknight36** · 11-03-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

From the article:

The expertise needed to build a compressed air car, or CAV, is not rocket science, either. Years-old, off-the-shelf technology uses compressed air to drive old-fashioned car engine pistons instead of combusting gas or diesel fuel to create a burst of air to do the same thing. Indian carmaker Tata has no qualms about the technology. It has already bought the rights to make the car for the huge Indian market.

Also from the article.

"The vehicle may not run like a speed racer on back road highways, but developer Zero Pollution Motors is betting consumers will be willing to fork over $20,000 for a vehicle that can motor around all day on nothing but air and a splash of salad oil, alcohol or possibly a pint of gasoline."

**jediknight36** · 11-03-2008, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

From the article:

The expertise needed to build a compressed air car, or CAV, is not rocket science, either. Years-old, off-the-shelf technology uses compressed air to drive old-fashioned car engine pistons instead of combusting gas or diesel fuel to create a burst of air to do the same thing. Indian carmaker Tata has no qualms about the technology. It has already bought the rights to make the car for the huge Indian market.

Actually, I think we are both right. I remember the news story about the french company that Tata is making the body's for the Air cars. They didnt look this good, but they may be the new bodies.

"The inventor of this technology is Mr. Guy Negre, who is the founder and CEO of MDI SA, a company headquartered in Luxembourg with its R and D in Nice, France."

Dunerunner · 11-03-2008, 09:26 AM

I have to wonder how much energy is required to produce the compressed air to drive the car. Neat idea though!! Thanks for the link.

**jediknight36** · 11-03-2008, 09:50 AM

I dunno. The one I saw on the news didnt have an engine like these. You use an air compressor to fill it. Im guessing not too much. 106 mpg!

dennyrex · 11-03-2008, 09:51 AM

Tata has licensed the technology for the engines. nothing to do with the bodies or other manufacture. There are similarities between the nano shape and the middle size model from MDI. The Tata branded vehicles are currently in development.

The whole MDI deal is to license to local markets around the world the manufacture of the vehicles, using local sourced parts and labor so the profits stay local. think sustainable development.

ZPM is the N. American licensee and will produce the vehicles for this market, starting with the larger 6 seater version.

The small 3 seater version is entered in the X-Prize and was shown at the NY Auto show last march.

The AirPod (shown in the posts above) is low speed local urban and industrial use vehicle for a driver and 2 passengers or in alt. form, driver, 1 passenger and cargo (like the smart) and according to this, was chosen by Air France:

"A press release published on Air France’s official website announces its commitment towards MDI.

The French company wishes to test the transporters for six months before equipping its airports with zero emission vehicles. Last week MDI’s team went to the group’s headquarters near Le Bourget with two AIRPod. The long lasting demonstration was a success and AIR France cleared the path."

generally there are two versions of power train: compressed air only which is zero emissions and shorter range, and compressed air with flex fuel heater to extend range - sort of like the "in-line hybrid" Chevy Volt uses gas engine to charge the batteries in order to extend the range of the electric power train. (the gas engine does not drive the wheels at all.) vs. toyota hybrid, or any of the plug-in hybrids.