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Tata Motors is to introduce the Air Car to India with a deal with MDI
in Europe.
Tata Motors is set to start producing the world’s first
commercial air-powered vehicle. The Air Car, developed by
ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses
compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of
internal-combustion models, to push its engine’s pistons.
The Air Car, called the MiniCAT could cost around INRs. 350,000
($ 8177) in India and would have a range of around 300 km between
refuels. The cost of a refill would be about INRs. 85 ($
2). Tata Motors also plans to launch the world’s cheapest
car, Tata Nano priced famously at INRs. 100,000 (£1,200) by
October.
The MiniCAT is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis
that is glued not welded and a body of fiberglass powered by compressed
air. Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car, so one
tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators etc.
There are no keys — just an access card which can be read by the card
in your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than INRs. 50
per 100km (about a tenth that of a petrol car). Its mileage is about
double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10
hours of driving), a factor which makes a perfect choice in
cities where 80% of motorists drive at less than 60km.
The car has a top speed of 105 kmph. Refilling the car will, once the
market develops, will take place at adapted petrol stations to
administer compressed air in two or three minutes, and, at a cost of
approximately INRs100. The car will be ready to go another 200-300
kilometers.
Alternative Fuels 260709
Note
A compressed air car is an alternative fuel car that uses a motor
powered by compressed air. The car can be powered solely by air, or
combined (as in a hybrid electric vehicle) with fuel/diesel/ethanol or
electric plant and regenerative braking. Several companies have started
to develop compressed air cars, although none have been released to the
public, or have been tested by third parties. The major problem
with these cars and all compressed air cars is the lack of torque
produced by the "engines" and the cost of compressing the air.
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