Internet Survey Finds Strong Interest in French "Air Car"
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(PRWEB) December 8, 2004 -- As oil prices spike and then plunge between $40-50 a barrel, and gasoline prices in the United States continue to hover near the $2 a gallon mark, consumers are taking a serious look at alternatives that range from buying gasoline-electric hybrid cars at a production-straining pace to relocating closer to urban centers.
One of those options that may someday soon become available in North America is the MDI "Air Car", a six passenger, multi-use commuter vehicle being developed in France that runs entirely on compressed air (www.theaircar.com). Designed for use as a family car, mini-delivery van and taxi, the Air Car has an estimated range of 200-300 km (124-186 miles) on a charge of compressed air. It has a top speed of 110k/hr (68 mph) and takes approximately 4 hours for the compressed air tank to be recharged.
Offering range and performance comparable to the current generation of battery electric cars powered by either advanced lead-acid or nickel metal hydride batteries, the Air Car's built-in compressor can be powered by any electricity source, including renewables like wind, hydroelectric and solar power, while eliminating concerns over battery cycle life and cold weather limitations.
To determine the interest of its readers in the Air Car, EV World -- the Internet's leading web publication devoted to 'green', sustainable transportation and personal mobility technologies -- asked its readers during the month of November the following question:
"If it were available in your community, would you be interested in owning or leasing the MDI Air Car, which is powered by compressed air"?
1,059 readers participated in the online poll, and the vast majority -- seventy-one percent (71%) -- indicated, "Yes", they would be interested. Fifteen percent (15%) responded "No" and thirteen percent (13%) indicated that they weren't sure. (Percentages have been rounded off).
While the results of EV World (http://www.evworld.com) online reader polls are not considered scientific and reflect the personal views of readers who are interested in electric-drive and other alternative fuel vehicle technologies, they do suggest that among this group, there is serious interest in an alternative fuel vehicle powered by compressed air.
About EV World Published weekly online since 1998, EV World features original content on a wide range of topics related to advanced, alternative fuel technologies from the latest in battery, hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles to renewable energy progress and policy. The publication has interviewed such notables as General Wesley Clark, former CIA director James Woolsey and "The Hype About Hydrogen" author Joseph Romm. Interviews are available in text and MP3 audio format. EV refers to "electric vehicle."
While premium content is available to subscribers only, much of the site, including daily news updates and archived interviews and feature stories, are available free to all readers. EV World conducts reader polls each month, with this month's question being, "Would you favor construction of more coal-fired power plants if they are required to make enough electricity to power millions of battery electric vehicles"?
Air Car Presentation for the UK Market
On the 20th September a car with an air-compressed engine, invented by the Frenchman Guy Nègre, will be presented in London. The presentation will take place at 10 am in the Millennium Hotel (17 Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, London SW1). The aim of the event is to present MDI´s technology to the public before its imminent arrival on the market and to offer to businessmen and institutions the chance to take part in establishing the factories in the UK.
One of the many challenges of today's society is maintaining our lifestyle with minimal repercussions to the environment. This is why Guy Nègre has invented a "zero pollution" car which involves no combustion.
The MDI car can reach a speed of 68 mph and has a road coverage of roughly 124 miles -some 8 hours of travel- 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 3 to 4 hours or attached to an air pump in a petrol station for only 2 minutes.
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, costing 1 pound for the car to travel for up to 8 hours or to cover 124 miles in an Urban area.
How does it work?
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 31.000 miles.
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.
The Company
"Moteur Development International" (MDI) is a company founded in Luxembourg, based in the south of France and with its Commercial Office in Barcelona. MDI 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.
The Factory
It is predicted that the factory will produce 3.000 cars each year, with 70 staff working only one 8-hour shift a day. If there were 3 shifts some 9.000 cars could be produced a year.
MDI is undertaking a long-term franchise business. The graphs show an important profit margin, which will be increased by the subsequent exclusive spare-parts market.