AIR-POWERED CAR

This car runs on the ultimate emissions-free fuel: air.

A compressed air car engine works in a way similar to the internal combustion version: Fuel forces pistons to turn a crankshaft and power the car. The difference is that in a compressed air engine, the pistons are moved by air and not gasoline.

The only problem is power. Air compression alone only gets a car moving to about 30 to 35 miles per hour. So to supplement that, the car could take in more air as it moves faster, using an onboard air compressor. The air compressor could be electric or, more likely, gasoline-powered. But even that would reduce emissions a lot, since the gasoline engine wouldn't be running at lower speeds.


Range is also an issue. Like all vehicles, an air-powered car can drive only as far as the amount of fuel in its tank. And storing compressed air requires "fuel" tanks that are stronger than steel to contain the thousands of pounds per square inch necessary.

On the bright side, compressing air in such a tank is a lot less dangerous than natural gas or hydrogen. Then there is the issue of filling the car's tank -- most air compressors would take at least a couple of hours to do that.

Tata seems to be the only manufacturer that has committed to actually building an air-powered car. Honda unveiled an air-powered concept car in 2010, and a company called Zero Pollution Motors had promised to deliver one to the United States -- but that was two years ago. (The company's website domain is no longer in use.) If Tata is successful, it will go a long way toward reducing emissions in India -- and perhaps freeing cars from fossil fuels completely.

Photo: The latest version of the AirPod, a car powered by compressed air.

Credit: Motor Development International

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Now this is interesting....doubt it would work in 9ja, enough bad belle no go gree am even survive. And me I still want to work in an oil and gas company o.