|
MDI Air Car
MDI Air Cars,
who offers several models that run on compressed air, are an interesting
alternative to hydrogen car and electric vehicles in that they constitute
yet another zero emissions alternative. MDI Air Cars have the potential
to help countries reduce dependency upon foreign fossil fuels while
emitting no greenhouse gases.
MDI Air Car |
|
As the automotive
industry makes its push to find cleaner alternatives to today's
common cars, there are certain designers who are taking the initiative
in that regard. Auto designer Guy Negre seems to have done that
with his new MDI Compressed Air Car (CAT). The Compressed Air Car,
which is represented by its designers as "The World's Cleanest
Car", is a new idea in the automotive industry because it runs
exclusively on air. The compressed air engine, designed specifically
for this vehicle, allows the car to run without burning up any precious
fossil fuels.
MDI has actually
introduced two models, the MiniCat and CityCat, which both use the
same engines, which come in choices of 2, 4 or 6 cylinders. Both
the MiniCat and CityCat also have a choice in whether the will contain
the standard compressed air engine or a hybrid flex fuel / compressed
air engine.
The models
with compressed air engines are meant to be city cars as they can
only achieve speeds of 35 mph. The flex fuel hybrids, however, use
compressed air up until the vehicle hits 35 mph and then the fuel-powered
engine kicks in to help the vehicle achieve speeds up to 68 mph.
The flex fuel engine can accept gasoline, biofuels, alcohol or several
other odd derivative fuels. The range of the hybrid vehicles is
around 125 miles.
One side benefit
of using compressed air to power the vehicle is that the pistons
are not only driven by the air but also compress some of the air
back to replenish the tanks. In addition, this air is cooler when
it comes out from the engine and can be used to air condition the
vehicle.
Another interesting
new feature for this air car is that it automatically shuts down
the engine when the car is stationary. While sitting at a red light,
this car won't be burning any fuel like other typical automobiles.
The exterior
of the MDI Air Car is built in a modern way. Like several of the
cars on today's market, its frame is built with fiberglass and injected
foam. This was the preference when designing the vehicle over using
steel because it's cheaper, it is lighter, and it is much easier
to fix in case of an accident. In addition to that, the MDI Air
Car's design makes it one of the safest cars to ever be made.
The enhanced
shock resistant chassis, which is built using aluminum rods, are
designed in a quick assembly design. This allows MDI to not only
produce cars safely but quickly and efficiently as well.
MDI envisions
that once the compressed air infrastructure is built, that the MiniCAT
and CityCAT will be able to recharge and refuel at most gasoline
stations using both the standard refueling island and off-island
compressors refueling in 5 minutes or less.. Until this happens,
though, the air cars come with their own onboard compressors, which
plug into standard electrical outlets. Using the onboard compressor
it takes about 4 hours to fill.
The MDI Air
Car is truly a revolutionary pioneer in a market. It takes next
generation technology and puts it into a car that benefits both
the driver and the environment. Guy Negre set out to design the
world's most unique environmental car and he may have succeeded.
At the very least, he has produced a clean car to rival the other
zero emission vehicles being developed and for much less dough as
well since the air car is supposed to rival standard automobiles
in price.
|
