In a bid to reduce the carbon footprint and lower carbon emissions and fuel costs, many car manufacturers have come up with hybrid cars, hydrogen-powered cars and electrical/battery operated automobiles. These cars however are not a viable solution.

According to French auto engineer Guy Negre,

“Hybrids are only marginally less polluting than the most efficient combustion engines. Hydrogen power is expensive and impractical. Fuel cells are expensive and unproven and electric cars are reliant on expensive, unreliable battery technology.”

airpod-compressed-air-car-zero-emissions

AIRPod

The Gurdian reports that the AIRpod,

is a car powered by compressed air: one that produces a fraction of the carbon emissions of a standard engine, reaches speeds of 30mph-plus, that can travel 65 miles on a one-minute recharge and, best of all, costs from just over £3,000.

Developed by Guy Negre, the AIRpod is a cute and easy to drive automobile with a joystick instead of a steering wheel and pedals. The three-wheel transport weighs around the same as a touring motorcycle at 220kg, so it only needs 5 1/2 horsepower from its lightweight air engine to reach top speeds a little over 40mph. Best of all, cheap compressed air refilling will take as little as 90 seconds and cost about EU1.10 for the AIRPod’s expected 220km range.

It is intended both as a personal 3-4 seater city commuter and as a get about for airport, train station and municipal workers.

Capacity

A three-wheeled minicar, the AIRPod seats 3 adults and a child – although it looks much more comfortable as a 2-person vehicle, with back-seat passengers facing the rear to conserve space.

airpod-passengers

Other Features

  • The large glass door opens from the front of the pod
  • The driver controls the vehicle using a joystick instead of a full steering column, so vision ahead is pretty much unhindered.
  • Despite the pod’s fairly large interior volume, the chassis is all made from sandwiched fiberglass and polyurethane, so it’s super light.
  • The tiny motor can make about 5 1/2 horsepower, which, combined with the low weight and aerodynamic shape of the AIRPod, allow it a top speed around 70kmh.
  • Refilling the air tanks can allegedly be achieved in 1.5 minutes for a cost of EU1.10
  • The AIRPod’s steering is controlled by driving the rear wheels at different speeds.

Additional Information

The Guardian: On the road with the Airpod air-powered car

Gizmag: AIRPod: tiny air-powered commuter costs half a Euro per 100km

Motor Development International: Air compressed cars – sustainable and environmentally friendly

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