The MDI car, unveiled in the UK claims to reach a maximum speed of approximately 110 kph and has a road coverage of roughly 200 km - or some 8 hours of travel (in urban conditions, and not at the maximum speed) - which is more than double the road coverage of an electric car. When recharging the tank, the car needs to be connected to the mains (220V) for three to four hours or attached to an air pump in an adapted petrol station to administer compressed air for two minutes - the car will then be ready to go for another 200 or so kilometres.

Economy and the ecological benefits are the main advantages for the client since the car´s maintenance cost is 10 times less than that of a petrol-run car, with the company claiming the car costs 1 pound (approximately $2.50) for the car to travel approximately 200 km in an urban area. (The car is designed for urban conditions where the speed limit is usually around 50kph).

So how does it work?

MDI explains that 90m3 of compressed air is stored in fibre tanks. The expansion of this air pushes the pistons and creates movement. The atmospheric temperature is used to re-heat the engine and increase the road coverage. The air conditioning system makes use of the expelled cold air. Due to the absence of combustion and the fact there is no pollution, the oil change is only necessary every 50 000 km.

At the moment, four models have been made: a car, a taxi (5 passengers), a Pick-Up truck and a van. The final selling price will be approximately 5,500 pounds ($8850).

There is no word on local availability any time soon, however the company has just signed an agreement with India's largest automotive manufacturer, Tata. The agreement between Tata Motors and MDI envisages Tata's supporting further development and refinement of the technology, and its application and licensing for India. So there may be hope for us Aussies yet.
 
"Moteur Development International" (MDI) is a company founded in Luxembourg, based in the south of France and with its Commercial Office in Barcelona. MDI says it has researched and developed the Air Car over 10 years and the technology is protected by more than 30 International patents.

MDI´s expansion has just begun and they have already signed 50 factories in Europe, America and Asia. The company is offering 20 licences in the UK as exclusive manufacturing areas for cars as well as offering other licences in the nautical and public transport sectors.

See: www.theaircar.com