Nov 4 2008Coming Soon: The Air Car Pod
Zero Pollution Motors plans to drop the AirPod like it's hot. And soon (~2011). The compressed-air powered vehicle will cost about $20,000 (!) and run on little more than, well, air. Oh, and, alternatively, a little oil, alcohol, or gas.
The air car can tool along at a top speed of 35 mph for some 60 miles or so on a tank of compressed air, a sufficient distance for 80% of consumers to commute to work and back and complete daily chores.
On highways, the CAV can cruise at interstate speeds for nearly 800 miles with a small motor that compresses outside air to keep the tank filled. The motor isn't finicky about fuel. It will burn gasoline or diesel as well as biodiesel, ethanol or vegetable oil.
Even if running on gas, the death trap averages over 100 mpg. Which, while impressive, is nowhere near as good as a pirate ship.
One more picture of the shoebox on wheels after the jump.
Air Cars: A New Wind for America's Roads? [yahoo]
Thanks to bandango, who made a kite out of squirrels and flew it to the moon.
Reader Comments
1. LSDiesel - November 4, 2008 12:44 PM
Is it just me, or is there some rule that says that the better the car is for the environment, the stupider it has to look?
2. tomorrowsparty - November 4, 2008 12:47 PM
more gay than little pink poodles riding the tea cups at Euro Disney...
3. Moose Knuckle - November 4, 2008 12:56 PM
Raise you hand if you car looks like it should be driven by a homo!!!! Know how I know your gay? You drive an airpod. I could see Tom Cruise in one of these... not simply 'cause he's gay, but also so that he can be safely beamed up to the mother ship.
Annnnd it looks photoshopped.
Annnd TCLTC
Annnnnnd, pew
4. dliup - November 4, 2008 12:58 PM
@1,
Do Cars Really Need to Look Like UFOs to Save Gas?
http://gas2.org/2008/09/15/do-cars-really-need-to-look-like-ufos-to-save-gas/
I wouldn't mind driving the Aptera.
5. C-Basstian - November 4, 2008 12:59 PM
so do i get in it or do i put it on?
6. I'm a Computer - November 4, 2008 1:00 PM
It looks like a granny smith green apple. With holes made by worms and birds and such. omg im throwing up. i love the environment.
7. Daisy - November 4, 2008 1:00 PM
FAKE!!!
This is an obvious photoshop job. You can tell its fake because the shadows are all wrong.
This looks like Max's little sisters toy car from the movie Never Back Down.
8. Davo - November 4, 2008 1:02 PM
And I thought Volkswagens were uncomfortable cars to have sex in...
PEW PEW PEW *I'm stuck*
9. The Movie Never Back Down - November 4, 2008 1:06 PM
Daisy please stop using my great name to insult the intelligence of all the loyal readers of Geekologie. That job is mine and mine alone. P.S. I'm super cheap on ebay! Get a copy now!
10. mamadough - November 4, 2008 1:07 PM
i'm sure the pile-ups on the interstates from these bad mothers will be minimal. and the first time one of the compressed air tanks explodes will be eventful.
11. AJ - November 4, 2008 1:17 PM
@LSDiesel and Sharpie - Haha...I got GW to chat shit for me. I rule =D Hmmm...yeah that was fun.
12. bangdango - November 4, 2008 1:18 PM
How would you go to a drive through strip place like mr geekologie posted to us a few weeks ago. id have to park sideways and get grand view
13. AJ - November 4, 2008 1:20 PM
Hmm...yeah. That was so fun XD
14. Thumperchica - November 4, 2008 1:24 PM
@AJ - That was pretty damned priceless...
Just like this "car" is pretty damned flamin!
15. Douchie Mc Bagman - November 4, 2008 1:26 PM
It would be more appropriate if you entered from the rear.
16. AJ - November 4, 2008 1:28 PM
@Thumperchica
- I was just paying them back for showing me hostility a few weeks ago when I voiced an opinion. I think I did that pretty well for a revenge. XD
17. LSDiesel - November 4, 2008 1:41 PM
@16, Yes AJ, you totally ruined my spirits and made me lose my will to live. In fact, I started smoking again and even the simple things in life have lost all pleasure.
Okay. Big Deal. You got the GW to talk shit for you.
You totally ruined any impression of badass when you started to gloat about it, so you're still a skid mark in the underpants of society.
18. che-che - November 4, 2008 1:50 PM
cant wait to see this thing get blown of the highway by speeding eighteen wheelers.
19. Somebody - November 4, 2008 1:51 PM
Vanity Plate reads: "VIRGIN"
20. CaptainMorgan - November 4, 2008 1:51 PM
I'm sure these will show up in hip hop music videos pretty soon. Some art director will bling it out with massive 22" lo-pro spins and make it sparkle with a gold and diamond finish.
BTW - I wouldn't want to be in a cross wind in that thing. Also, just imagine driving down the "wrong street" into a bad neighbourhood...you be dead.
AND you will never see these on the streets in the USA. They won't pass any safety test. If they do allow it, I can only imagine the warning labels etc. let alone the endless lawsuits from any accident. This company will go t*** up before one of these hits US soil. Europe can keep their homobiles.
21. Andrea - November 4, 2008 1:54 PM
@Daisy: why you sais is an obvious photoshop job? I am a professional graphic designer and I can tell you that there are no artifacts.
Besides, how you make compressed air? I don't think I could manage to do it with my lungs. Therefore, I would use something like a compressor, that usually needs energy or some kind of fuel. Do I miss something?
22. Uncle Eccoli - November 4, 2008 2:15 PM
Andrea miss something.
23. AJ - November 4, 2008 2:18 PM
@LSDiesel.
- What's the point in doing something like that if you can't gloat. Gloating is the only reason I did it.
24. Momboelitist - November 4, 2008 2:36 PM
That car is bigger than my apartment. Golf cart with an ugly green helmet ring a bell?
For those that are interested in a real air powered car that doesn't look like my left nut with gangrene:
http://magneticaircars.com/pressrelease.htm
25. tc - November 4, 2008 2:55 PM
Safer than a motorbike.
More economical than a car.
No local pollution.
More range than a car.
Think outside the box, people !
Incidentally, while this is safer than a motorbike in an accident, it has no visibility, so is more likely to be in one.
26. goofzilla - November 4, 2008 3:00 PM
i had no idea that clowns were so economical! 50 of 'em could carpool cross-country for less than the cost of a funnel cake.
27. darcie - November 4, 2008 3:13 PM
what they don't tell you is that the compressed air is in your lungs and the front wheel which you can't make out is actually the dude's feet. flintstones cars had to come back sometime. this thing better f***ing fly for $20,000.
28. LSDiesel - November 4, 2008 3:28 PM
@AJ, When Han Solo shot greedo, did he stand up and announce "Hey Everyone, I just killed this Bounty Hunter! Aren't I awesome!?"
No. Just got up, apollogized for the mess, and left.
29. whistle - November 4, 2008 3:48 PM
I can't think of a single place I could drive this. I probably drive faster than 35 mph in my garage.
30. RIMTUCK - November 4, 2008 3:58 PM
I LOVE IT!!!
31. Woo Doop - November 4, 2008 4:01 PM
It gets 100mpg cause it has no motor...it's a flintstone car, you use your feet to propel it!
32. Woo Doop - November 4, 2008 4:07 PM
Err...I failed, someone beat me to it. I can see it now, Air Car gets recalled for spontaneous combustion and ease of getting tipped over.
33. finfan - November 4, 2008 5:00 PM
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
34. Jazzman - November 4, 2008 5:52 PM
im not sure, but um... there's no steering wheel... all i see is a joystick... And how am i to bang your gurl friend in something with all those windows!!!
35. T-diddy - November 4, 2008 6:47 PM
Come on people, THINK!!!
This thing runs on compressed air, but compressed air ain't free. You need to have an air compressor, and those run on, *GASP* electricity (or straight fossil fuel if you've got a huge one)!!!!
They already make these things in India, and they are NOT zero-emission. They just conveniently move your emissions elsewhere. And you're riding on top of a huge bomb. Oh, and they still need to pass safety certification, which is almost impossible as long as 18-wheelers and Hummers are legal.
Don't believe this fraud will appear on the road, or that you'd be doing the planet a favor by driving it.
36. Oregoneagle - November 4, 2008 7:50 PM
Do the windows roll down? My girl friend has stinky farts, she's a vege ya know, and with that little of space I would like pass out. Even if she is riding in back like a good girl
37. My Tran - November 4, 2008 11:39 PM
i wanted to make the first air car in america nooo why are all my dreams ruined so quickly
38. antoekneeoh22 - November 5, 2008 12:05 AM
Is it just me, or does that "car" look like it's made out of foam?
39. Sinner - November 5, 2008 7:18 AM
I get those with my legos.
*put they small grey block into the big white block......*
40. nicolas - December 4, 2008 7:34 AM
FALSE .... between 3500€ and 5300€
See http://www.mdi.lu
41. Ecolo-Design - December 31, 2008 11:39 PM
Well on the side of technology it is the state of the art but on the side of the design is good for Japan or China or Europe, it would more suitable for a motocycle working with air power plant !