PSA Peugeot Citroën introduced a car that runs on air

Over decades of work on new engine and fuel options, engineers have tested a variety of options that should have made transportation easier and cheaper. A new hybrid from French manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën can solve this problem: it runs on the cheapest fuel – clean air. The car still needs a little extra energy from burning gasoline to compress and store air, but it is still more economical than all hybrids released earlier.

The engine combines two technologies: a gasoline system and hydraulics from a commercial aircraft. According to engineer Karim Mokaddem, Hybrid Air uses a hydraulic pump and piston to compress nitrogen in a high-pressure battery. The compressed gas is released after it reaches the accelerator and gives an impulse to the movement of the hydraulic fluid, which activates the pump motor and starts the wheels. The power of the engine is enough to travel and to carry small loads, such as ABC shingles or other materials for repair.

When driving, this car switches from hydraulics to a gasoline engine in different situations. During climbing the mountain, the acceleration is set by the internal combustion engine, it also creates pressure on the nitrogen tank. The inventors say that the air part of the engine will last as long as the car itself – it will only need to recharge with new air.

PSA Peugeot Citroën will begin mass production of Hybrid Air vehicles in 2016 in Europe and later in other international markets. The price has not yet been announced, but it will not be higher than the price of other hybrids of this brand.

Source: energysafe.ru