 While most in the green industry are expressing great joy over the electric car one French company is taking an idea more than 15 years old and combining it with the potential to win the "Automotive X Prize" to bring a radical new green car concept to market.
There are some of the 'What if's' posed by Motor Development International and its subsidiary Zero Pollution Motors. Owner/Engineer Guy Negre dares to believe that this is the future of transportation.
Dream With Me
- What if you could have a car that operated completely on it's own with very little need to stop for fuel?
- What if you only needed to stop for fuel every 800 miles?
- What if you could own a car that had emissions that are less than half those of existing hybrid vehicles?
- What if that car was less expensive than other green alternatives?
- What if that alternative actually cost less than traditional fossil-fuel transportation alternatives?
Negre has a storied career in developing both automotive and aircraft engines and components. His work on this new vehicle has led to the acquisition of more than 100 patents. His dream could win him the coveted X Prize. It’s already won him the financial backing of one of India’s largest auto manufacturer.
What Kind of Car is This?
Zero Pollution Motors presents cars with names such as City FlowAIR, Mini FlowAIR, and One FlowAIR. As you might expect these cars are named for their ultimate size and use. They are powered by a compressed air engine. Initially these vehicles will have refillable air tanks that can provide up to 800 miles of travel before refill.
However, long range plans call for an on board compressor that is active when the engine runs forcing air back into the tanks. This compressor concept is a ‘work in progress’ and may actually allow the vehicle to run without the need to refill air tanks. Time magazine ranked this innovation among its top list of inventions for 2007.
Benefits?
Besides the benefit of zero emissions there seems to be a plethora of ownership benefits. Here’s the top four.
- The cost of refilling the air tanks stands at about $2.
- Vehicle price starts below $18,000.
- Is expected to have a miles per gallon equivalent of 106 mpg.
- Oil changes ever 31,000 miles.
Emissions
The company indicates, "At speeds over 35mph the Compressed Air Vehicle uses small amounts of fuel–either gasoline, propane, ethanol or bio fuels–to heat air inside a heating chamber as it enters the engine. This process produces emissions of only 0.141lbs of CO2 per mile." This figure is significantly cleaner than the cleanest hybrids currently available.
Obstacles considered
One of the problems many alternative fuel vehicle manufacturers face is finding infrastructure to allow easy refueling. This is a problem for hydrogen and natural gas. Even E85 isn't available in every fueling station. This compressed air vehicle allows refueling to take place at home using any standard air compressor. Most fueling stations also have compressed air available.
Availability
Current plans will allow vehicles to be ordered in 2009 with delivery in 2010. Prices are kept low because no show rooms are planned. In essence you order the vehicle by either calling the company or ordering online. The company will deliver the vehicle through their manufacturing facility.
The vehicle is also being made available in India and South Africa. More countries are planned for expansion. To find out more about the company visit http://zeropollutionmotors.us
Using air as fuel is ingenious, green and responsible. It will be interesting to see the development of this highly credentialed company.
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