Tue 4 Mar 2008
To make this clear, I’m talking about a car that runs on air, not a flying car. Either of which make an interesting story though. Indian automaker Tata Motors (stop snickering that’s their real name) is hoping to have a car that runs on compressed air in production by the year 2008. A US company Zero Pollution Motors plans on having an air car available in the US in 2010.
Tata Indica
(1.4 L gas/diesel engine)
Tata motors, which is currently the world’s 18th largest automobile company is best known for it’s Tata Indica and what is currently considered the worlds cheapest car the Tata Nano (USD $2,500). They also have a new car in testing, the “Swift Dzire”.
While Tata has at this time has not announced plans to start marketing in the US, this technology shows promise as an oil alternative. At least for short commuting applications. Tata claims that their air car would have a top end of 68 mph with a driving range of about 125 miles. Quite a feat from a vehicle that literally runs on compressed air driving a piston. Refueling means stopping in at the local “air station” (likely a gas station with a custom air compressor) and filling up. An alternative means of refueling would be to plug your car into a standard electrical outlet and let the car’s built in compressor refuel the tank in about 4 hours.
For those of us that are not familiar with Tata motors, Tata Motors was established in 1945 making trains. It’s currently the 2cn largest commercial vehicle maker in India. In 2004 Tata Motors was first listed in the NYSE.
March 14th, 2008 at 12:01 am
This is looking very light car.I don’t know how long it will last.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I have been following development of the Air car, I congratulate the Skills and Vision of the French developer to take on a real new alternative to conventional fuels, I am sure this will take off. Fuel here in the UK is now so costly combined with high Tax levels, it will force many off the road. If introduced in the UK, I will be the first to purchase one. Congratulations again and I will be watching this space. Ken Austen. Merthyr Tydfil Wales UK
April 16th, 2008 at 8:42 am
We’re at about $4.00 a gallon in the US right now. Unfortunately, I don’t think they plan on marketing here. I’d like to see them make it here too.
April 26th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Having recently acquired Rover and Jaguar, Tata now has a worldwide platform from which to market air cars if they wish.
I can only hope that Tata will begin selling air cars at their dealerships in the USA soon.
May 31st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
im doing a research paper on this car and want to know how safe it is
June 11th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Whether they know it or not, this air car from Tata Motors would be the perfect vehicle for most Americans. A 125 mile range is adequate for most of our “Going to the market” and our usual estertainment areas. If you need to go to Grandma’s house—RENT!
They need to Import the 2-Seater also.
I WANT ONE NOW!
June 11th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
@Marshall
I agree. Most US families already have more than one car. Having this one for an around town commuter would pay for itself rather quickly.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Kudos to the team & inventor. This is what the world need & put a stop to the energy crisis. Hope can get one soon.:)
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
When this excellant air car will come to Malaysia ? The fuel cost was increased 41% last month.
July 9th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Hoera for Tata, when can we see the real thing on our S African roads and at what price. Are you looking for comp.air suppliers.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Will this be available here in the Philippines?
September 9th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hey , wow Tata Motors are going to manufacture compressed air car.Air car is good alternative for fuel car, wow at last people are looking forward to save gasoline, great new.Tata Motors signed an agreement[1] with MDI to continue research on air powered motors and cars. Production has been said to begin in summer of 2008. Good “tata” also cheers for Nano too, the cheapest car
November 18th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Fill the air car with natural gas and enhance the air engine….. an engine with computer controlled valves could be a combustion engine, air engine, and an air compressor. Decompress the Nat Gas to start the car and then run in combustion mode; short bursts of air engine operation when the depresurized Nat Gas reserve is low. Braking would include running the engine as a compressor; requires a spare air only tank.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:59 am
I am very excited to see this car in Pune roads, first glimps will be while testing.
December 12th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I like the idea of the air car in fact in 1993 I tryed to invent something on the same line myself the only downfall was i wanted to cabture the air that was exausted it never happened. o well its out there now. With the big three on verge of shut down. Here is something that they should be looking at there selves. The only question that I have is how do we build air stations to refill the tanks I know we can two stage a pump but will we be able to fill the cars at home?
December 16th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Yes Robert, I agree that air stations will be problem at starting phase.
But this technology is attracting business because of
1. Current problem is heavy pollution in cities.
2. Due to variation is a petroleum price; private petrol stations don’t have constant profit business.
3. In future, this technology will reduce refueling air.
So when these vehicles will be launched with electric pump. This can be used in emrgency or in initial phase.
Private fuel stations will seek this new business. Stations in cities may use electricity and stations may use petroleum. So their will be less pollution in city.
Gradually these stations will provide cheep air pressure. They may have wind farms to compress the air as this will not need constant wind speed like electricity generation. (Good news for SUZLON.
I heard that researchers finding the way to re-compressing the air while car is running. This will reduce the re-fueling time.
Overall future is good for this car.
I post-pone my plans to purchase the car.
February 26th, 2009 at 2:57 am
We would like buy air cars for teast reasons (market researchs). Please,If it is posible ,If anyone knows the contact persons-salers,or oficia ldistributor of MDI,Tata-Air CAr, send to us account or write as how can we reach the goal. Our Email:
nodartushishvili@gmail.com
georgeaskurava@ymail.com
May 18th, 2009 at 2:38 am
Hope that this project can go without any big challenge and begin to start their mass production, so the price will be more cheap than now. And because of that, we can make world better without air pollution and gasoline. Go….
May 20th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Makes me wonder how this type of technology would be classified under Obama’s new rules about increasing gas mileage. How do you factor in 0 gallons to the mile when trying to increase the MPH averages of the vehicles produced.
Obama’s Gas Mileage Plan (from Yahoo News)