Tata Motors to unveil air-powered vehicles

TATA Motors of Indian has announced plans to commence production of what it identified as 'world's first' commercial air-powered vehicle.According to the auto firm, the air car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer, Guy Nigre, 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.Under the initiative, about 6000 zero-emissions air cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets.The air car, called the MiniCAT is scheduled to cost around $8,177 in India and would have a range of around 300 km between refuels.Tata explained that the MiniCATwas a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis that was glued, not welded and a body of fibre glass powered by compressed air.'Microcontrollers are used in every device in the car. So, one tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, indicators, among others.'There are no keys - just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. Its mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car (200 to 300 km or 10 hours of driving), a factor that makes a perfect choice in cities where 80 per cent of motorists drive at less than 60 Km. The car has a top speed of 105 kilometres per hour.Refilling the car will, once the market develops, take place at adapted petrol stations to administer compressed air.' As a viable alternative, the car carries a small compressor which can be connected to the mains (220V or 380V) and refill the tank in three to four hours. Due to the absence of combustion and, consequently, of residues, changing the oil (one litre of vegetable oil) is necessary only every 50,000 Km).'The temperature of the clean air expelled by the exhaust pipe is between 0-15 degrees below zero, which makes it suitable for use by the internal air conditioning system with no need for gases or loss of power,' said information made available by Tata Africa Services Nigeria Ltd, representative of TATA Motors in Nigeria.
Click here to read full news..