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Showing entries for Category: Gas
Air Powered Car Gets 106 MPG
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It seems you can add air to the list of hybrids, electrics and fuel cell powered buggies. MDI, the European company focused on the technology says Zero Pollution Motors (New York-based) is the first U.S. firm to obtain a production license for the cars and pledges to deliver the first models in 2010, for less than $18,000 a copy.
According to CNN: Gas still plays a role.
The six-seater planned for the U.S. market would be able to reach speeds of more than 90 mph and have a range of more than 800 miles thanks to a dual energy engine, (says Shiva Vencat, vice president of MDI and CEO of Zero Pollution Motors).
The design calls for one or more tanks of compressed air under the car's floor, as well as a tank holding at least 8 gallons of fuel. Whether the engine uses just air or both air and fuel would depend on how fast the car is going. It would run purely on compressed air at speeds less than 35 mph, Vencat said.
Since the car could only go a short distance when using just air, fuel is needed to get the full range, he explained. "Above 35 mph, there is an external combustion system, which is basically a heater that uses a little bit of gasoline or biofuel or ethanol or vegetable oil that will heat the air," Vencat said.
"Heating the air increases its volume, and by increasing its volume, it increases [the car's] range. That's why with one gallon of gasoline or its equivalent we are able to make over 100 mpg."
Vencat said an on-board compressor would refill the air tank while the car is running, or owners could refill it by plugging it into a power outlet for four hours.
This is how it works.
Topics: Highways , Gas , Air Powered Car
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