5 Things You Need to Know About Air Powered Cars

New or Used Technology?

Although the idea of air powered cars seem like a new-age or even futuristic concept, the use of air-powered vehicles has been around since the late 1900s. Air power was used for street transit and pneumatic engines as early as 1872. However, the concept goes all the way back to 1687 thanks to Dennis Papin as per the Royal Society. Since the technology is almost 350 old, it seems interesting that it hasn't been used more often.

The Evolution of Air Powered Cars

From its inception, air powered cars have been used primarily for public transportation. In 1872, the Mekarski air engine opened up the concept of thermodynamics. The first urban transport was introduced by Hoadley and Knight in 1898, with its effort increasing the time that air was kept in the engine to enhance travel time. Charles Porter is thought of as by some in the industry as the "father" of compressed air cars.

Mainstreaming Air Cars

Considering the long history of the technology required to make air-powered cars a possibility, it may be difficult to understand why anything could have stood in the way of their becoming a reality before the combustion engine became the norm. In the 1930s, Germany had designed a hybrid compressed-air locomotive. Some sources have noted that the oil industry shut down publication of compressed-air engines and their research. After World War II, there were no textbooks published on the topic for many years.

Advantages of the Air Car

There are several advantages to using compressed air engines. Lower costs in comparison to combustion engines and the obvious safety of air as an energy source are two of the top benefits cited. Using air for energy eliminates the necessity of spark plugs, a gas tank, or a cooling system for the engine. There is no possibility of battery erosion or contamination from discarded engines and with less required parts. Plus, it's believed that the overall cost of air-powered engines and their maintenance will be lower. As is the case with any alternative fuel or technology, there are limitations and challenges. For example, it has been reported that air-powered car engines can be noisy and provide more modest performance than internal combustion counterparts.

The Future of the Air Car

Coming to the streets of India in 2008, the Air Car is the brainchild of ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre. With pistons powered by compressed air instead of gas-and-oxygen explosions, the company's CityCat can hits speeds up to 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. For an estimated cost of $12,700.00, it should provide interested buyers with an affordable,, eco-friendly automobile. The current construction is fairly primitive, but it is a great beginning for a revolutionary vehicle.

Tracie Close is a freelance writer for print and the web on eco-friendly topics. Her articles have been published in Saving American Manufacturing, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and High Tech, High Touch. She also has contributed numerous articles about green living for eHow.com.