In 4500 BC, Egyptians realized that wind can be used as energy. They invented the sail, using wind to power their mode of transportation. Wind has since been the a clean, free source of energy, and thanks to technological advancements, this source of power can be stored.

French engineer Guy Nègre worked in the aeronautics industry then in the Formula One world where he grew fascinated by the technique used to start race car engines: compressed air is injected into the cylinders to push the pistons down and start the engine.

Quoted: New York-based Zero Pollution Motors is licensing compressed air technology for the first time to build and sell a car in the United States that the company claims will achieve 106 mpg.

Economie. Des investisseurs toulousains veulent créer une usine de fabrication de la MDI « OneCats », la première voiture qui roule à l'air comprimé.

The Air Car was developed by a French engineer, Guy Negre, for a family owned company, MDI, in Carros in Southern France.

It runs on compressed air. According to Popular Mechanics in its June 2007 issue, “Barring any last minute design changes on the way to production, the Air Car should be surprisingly practical. The $12,700 CityCAT, one of a handful of planned Air Car models, can hit 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor units. MDI says it should cost around $2 to fill the car’s carbon-fiber tanks with 340 liters of air at 4350 psi. Drivers also will be able to plug into the electrical grid and use the car’s built-in compressor to refill the tanks in about four hours.”

Quoted: Electric MINI will be in US customer hands in summer 2009!

Quoted: The Lightning car company is proud to release one of the UK's first electric sports cars for 2008.
Combining classic, British sports car design with racing car technology and state of the art NanoSafe™ battery power and Hi-Pa Drive™ electric motor innovation, the Lightning has been developed with exhilarating performance front of mind. Whilst its head-turning looks will appeal to the most discerning of drivers, unlike other sports cars, the Lightning is also easy on the conscience. With virtually no polluting emissions, this energy-efficient car uses clean technology and will have the ultimate green rating. Following production of several petrol Lightnings and with the electric prototype build now well underway, the electric Lightning GT is now available to pre-order.

The vehicle looks just as good as it did in the rendered shots and packs quite a punch. The Lightning GT features a powerful 120 kw electric hub motor attached to each 20" wheel and together provide over 700 HP. LCC says that its all-electric powertrain is capable of propelling the vehicle to 60 MPH in just four seconds.

Quoted: LCC debuts its Lightning GT and its fast-charge system

Quoted: “NBC’s Today Show Features Air Vehicle

Our compressed air vehicle grabbed some prime time exposure this week on NBC’s Thursday, March 20, Today Show. Today Show’s Meredith Vieira and Phil LeBeau introduced the economy/utility vehicle that ZPM and MDI unveiled at the New York Auto Show and are entering into the Automotive X PRIZE’s Alternative Class competition. We are also entering the larger family-size vehicle we are manufacturing for the U.S. market in the Mainstream Class competition.

Quoted: Compressed-Air Powered cars could take you over 800 miles on a single fill-up, at speeds of up to 96 mph. They should refuel in less than 3 minutes, and at speeds over 35 mph emit about half the CO2 of a Toyota Prius. Best part? You could see them in the US at the end of next year.