Driving on Air

The Moteur Developpement International (MDI) company has produced a vehicle that uses a compressed air engine instead of traditional fuel. The idea was originally conceived in 1994 by former French formula one engineer Guy Negre. The aim was to build a low-consumption, low-pollution engine. After ten years of research and development of pollution-free engines and cars powered by compressed air, MDI will begin serial production over the coming months.

Single energy engines come in Minicats and Citycats and are for city use, where the maximum speed is 50 km/h (although it can reach speeds up to 220 km/h). These vehicles consume 10 times less than gasoline powered cars.

Duel energy engines, on the other hand, are as much for the city as the open road. The engines will utilize compressed air while running under 50 km/h in urban areas. But when the car is used outside urban areas at speeds over 50 km/h, the engines will switch to fuel mode. The engine will be able to use gasoline, gas oil, biodiesel, gas, liquidized gas, ecological fuel, alcohol, etc.

Both engines will be available with 2, 4 and 6 cylinders.

When the air tanks are empty the driver will be able to switch to fuel mode, using the car’s on-board computer.

Drivers must recharge the car at gas stations, once the market is developed. It takes about 2-3 minutes to recharge at a price of 1.5 euros. After refilling, the car will be ready to drive 200 kilometers. The car also has a small compressor that can be connected to an electrical network (220V or 380V) and will recharge the tanks completely in 3 or 4 minutes.

Unlike electric or hydrogen powered vehicles, MDI vehicles are inexpensive, do not have a limited driving range, are affordable, have a performance rate that stands up to current standards, are relatively pollution free, are easy to get around cities in, are made of lightweight fiberglass (the body of the vehicle weighs only 700kg, whereas the engine weighs a mere 35kg), and have small computer screens that allow for GPS tracking, computer, telephone, and other such technologies. The seatbelt provides greater safety by being anchored to the car floor. The vehicle’s patented electric system makes the car 20 kilos lighter and considerably quieter. Consideration is also being given to using access cards instead of regular keys. Because the engine does not burn any fuel the car’s oil (a liter of vegetable oil) only needs to be changed every 50,000 km. The temperature of the clean air expulsed from the exhaust can be subsequently channeled and used for air conditioning in the interior of the car.

The e.Volution prototype was unveiled at Auto Africa Expo 2000 in Johannesburg, as the first viable alternative to cars that run on conventional fuels. It was predicted that the e.Volution would be able to travel up to 200km (120 miles) for only 30 US cents.

So how much, you ask? In Europe, the Minicats will be put forward at a base price of 6860 Euros. The Citycats will be put forward at a base price of 9460 Euros.

With gas, diesel, and oil prices steadily rising, the Middle East crisis and occasional shortfalls, motorists might be more than happy to go green if it means a lifetime savings on fuel costs.

Sherry Obenauer | My Bio & Articles