Tata Motors expecting to launch Air Car by end of 2017





Tata Motors Ltd, India’s largest automobile company, has completed the first phase of a plan to start commercial production of a car that runs on compressed air. It has been working on the project for five years, but the cars may take a while to reach showrooms given the long gestation period between pilot runs and commercialization.


Compressed air is used to power pneumatic drills and air brakes, among other devices. As a concept, an air-powered car sounds like the answer to environmental degradation and energy shortages, to name just two critical problems the earth faces.



Image Source : altmob.com

Air cars are also designed to be lighter than conventional cars. The aluminium construction of these vehicles will keep their weight under 2,000 pounds (907 kg), making them fuel efficient.


“The novelty lies in the carefully controlled expansion of the compressed air using a multi-piston engine design,” the spokesperson said. “Thus, the technology deployed to implement this concept is unique in its detailed configuration. The air-handling system utilises similar components to that used in compressed natural gas or CNG vehicles.”


Tata Motors is “working on several opportunities to improve the efficiency of the engine and also establish reliability and life estimation as a part of detailed development process”, he added.




“Compressed air has been used in the industrial sector for ages, so the concept is not earth shattering. However using compressed air technology for vehicles is something extraordinary as it could reduce our dependence on fossil fuels as it would require nothing more than suction of air

MDI’s production models include the AirPod, OneFlowAIR, MiniFlowAIR and CityFlowAIR. Prototypes are said to have been tested by some foreign airlines for use as emission-free vehicles within airports. However, no AirPod has been sold till date.


The AirPod, according to the company’s website, can be driven with a joystick and only costs €1 (Rs.70) per 200 km. It is part of the MDI production licence of “less than 500kg vehicles, and has four seats (three adults and one child) with space for luggage”. The OneFlowAIR, according to the company, is expected to range between €3,500 and €5,300.


While Tata Motors did not comment on the speeds, the engine is said to produce enough power for speeds of about 56 km per hour. Compressed air engines also offer the option of using fossil fuels or biofuels to heat the air as it enters the engine. However, while the speeds may increase, pollution too will rise proportionately. The idea of using compressed air to power a vehicle has been around for a while. Early prototypes date back to the 1920s, before the internal combustion engine was invented.


Smaller companies such as Air Car Factories SA based in Spain are also developing such vehicles. “At this moment, the design of our first models are completed,” the company said on its website. “These models are designed to offer enough space for the tanks with compressed air and its motor, or, an electric motor and its batteries. Our intention is to launch our first electric model within a short time period, while waiting for the completion of our future air car.”


Australia-based Engineair Pty Ltd is another such company focusing on the development of air motor technology, based on a unique rotary piston concept. In 2010, Honda presented the Honda Air concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Source :greencarreports.com

3 Comments

Thank you for your comment. Keep reading will post more to keep you updated.

  1. Goodbye Motors has propelled a couple of incredible items in the current circumstances. With the cars like Tiago, Hexa and the Nexon, Tata Motors is gradually catching the market back. There are numerous new cars arranged from the maker later on. Here are seven of them that will be exhibited at the Auto Expo. If you want to know more, Please check out here: new cars

    ReplyDelete
  2. Likewise normally an auto body shop that has a physical area typically appears to be somewhat more trustworthy and secure than a buoy along portable assistance. Best Car Batteries

    ReplyDelete
  3. Of extraordinary intrigue, Frank Duryea was the champ of America's first auto race in 1895. It included 6 cars voyaging 54 miles from Chicago to Evanston and back once more. Duryea dominated the race in a little more than 10 hours with a normal speed of 7.3 mph. Best Car Accessories

    ReplyDelete
Post a Comment
Previous Post Next Post