It’s has been a while since we heard any news about the inflatable car from XP Vehicles but it seems they are still out there and still planning to take the auto industry by storm. Freshly featured on the cover of Product Design & Development (PDD), the concept vehicle that doesn’t employ airbags, but rather is the airbag, is given credence in the two page spread. After reading the article, though, we’re left with a nagging question: “Is this thing just a lot of hot air?” While PDD proclaims that the “prototype benefits from a perfect economical storm” and mentions “…motors are built into the rear wheel of most XP prototypes”, there doesn’t actually seem to be a prototype in existence aside from computer renderings. Also troubling is the claim that it can both achieve a range of 125 miles with four passengers (after which an auxiliary power unit kicks in and extends that range to 300 miles) and contains its batteries in shelves that consumers can remove, throw over their shoulders and carry up to their apartments to plug in and charge. Considering the weight involved in batteries capable of taking you that far, it’s a proposition that seems unlikely. We don’t want to be complete negative Nancies about the project though. Perhaps the day will soon come when they will post a video of a door from their mini utility vehicle (MUV) undergoing their proposed toughness testing with an AK-47. Hit the break to let us know from whose future face egg will be dripping and a short clip from XP Vehicles extolling their vehicles’ virtues. [Source: Product Design & Development ] Continue reading Is XP Vehicles’ inflatable car just a lot of hot air? Filed under: Emerging Technologies , EV/Plug-in , Hydrogen , Lightweight , USA Is XP Vehicles’ inflatable car just a lot of hot air? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Last December, Green Car Advisor’s Nick Kurczewski was able to snag a ride in MDI’s AIRPod . Now, the lucky punk journalist has taken a turn behind the wheel. The short version of his review: this could be the car of the future and it feels like an amusement park ride, but it’s no Millennium Falcon. Seriously. As we know, the Air Car uses compressed air to power a small two-cylinder engine. The 180cc poweplant produces 5.4 horsepower, but MDI is working on a upgraded AIRPod GT will have 8 hp. Kurczewski says the AIRPod’s joystick steering is modified from the original design, which would have seen the speed and deceleration controlled by the stick as well as direction. That complicated-sounding mess has been scrapped in favor of more traditional pedals + joystick. Check out all the details - including why driving a bubble car with no openable windows in June is not a good idea and how MDI plans to bring dozens of AIRPods to airports and universities and other locations around the world - over at Inside Line . Thanks to throwback for the tip! [Source: Inside Line ] Filed under: Emerging Technologies Driving the airless Air Car could be a better experience originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

2010 Mitsubishi i MiEV - Click above for high-res image gallery On the heels of the Mitsubishi i MiEV ’s embarkation on mass manufacture , comes word that the Japanese company has solid plans for more battery-powered models. Although an article in the Nikkei points to five newcomers, their definition of “new” and “electric vehicle” (EV) are somewhat, shall we say, generous. Included amongst their number is counted the slightly larger, right-hand-drive global version of the i MiEV as well as the Peugeot-badged version of that derivative. The other dubious addition is that of a plug-in hybrid sports utility vehicle (SUV) which is likely to be electric at least part of the time, depending on whether it is a parallel (like the Prius ) or a series hybrid . For those who like a sporty two-door ride, another claimed model-to-be is the i Miev Sport Air, the concept version of which we most recently saw updated at the Geneva Motor Show. It sounds and looks great, although no time frame has been given for its introduction. The future line-up is not all about passenger vehicles and so a commercial transport-type EV based on the i MiEV should launch in fiscal 2010. The one unknown all-electric is reportedly planned for fiscal 2011 and may a harbinger of larger models to come. Although said to be based on “full-sized cars,” its 1 liter designation will keep it firmly in the compact category. The plan, if successfully executed, should help Mitsubishi reach their announced goal of having 20 percent of their production volume comprised of EVs by 2020. Gallery: Mitsubishi iMiEV production model Gallery: Mitsubishi i MiEV Sport Air Concept Gallery: Mitsubishi Global i MiEV prototype [Source: Green Car Congress ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , Mitsubishi Mitsubishi elects for more electrics in line up originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Click above to watch the video after the break Just over a year ago, we reported on an air-powered moped that was built using carbon fiber tanks originally intended for firefighting use. Apparently, the idea has occurred to a few other people as well, as a group of engineering students from India have just completed another compressed air-powered motorcycle using a small 100 cc motorcycle as a starting point. Arshdeep Singh, one of the Air Bike’s designers, says: “Our professors had asked us to create something which nobody has done so far and is also pollution free. Something which is economical and affordable to a common man. So we thought of inventing a bike, which runs on air. There is no combustion in this bike as it does not use any petrol, diesel or anything.” At this point, the bike isn’t all that practical. Top speed is limited to just 18 kilometers per hour, but the team hopes to improve on the figure in future versions. Want to see and hear it run? Click past the break for a video. [Source: Green Launches ] Continue reading Engineering students from India create air-powered motorcycle Filed under: Transportation Alternatives , On Two Wheels , Green Daily , India Engineering students from India create air-powered motorcycle originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 09 May 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

According to Autocar in the UK, Scotland Yard has announced plans to replace half of its fleet of vehicles with either electric or air-powered vehicles within four years. We’re not sure what air-powered vehicles are being considered, but we’ve been hearing about the compressed air vehicle from MDI for the last few years at least. There are already 140 or so Toyota Prius hybrid police cars currently in use by the Metropolitan Police Service and officers have been putting electric versions of the smart fortwo through their paces. Those two programs are expected to continue and grow. Nigel Jakubowski, head of transport services, says, “The uniformed officers who have driven them say they are very quick. We have installed charging points at the stations the cars are based in, and they work very well.” This is a case of the right vehicle being used in the right situation. In a busy urban area like downtown London, for example, the limited top speed and range of electric vehicles isn’t really a problem. [Source: Autocar ] Filed under: EV/Plug-in , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily , UK Half of London’s police cars will go alternative within 4 years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Geely IG Fantastic Concept - Click above for a high-res image gallery One of the most interesting concepts at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show is the Geely IG Fantastic. We’re happy to report that the car’s styling is unique and doesn’t appear derivative of any other designs. The seating position is also rather interesting, with the driver sitting right in the center of the cockpit with two passengers slightly behind on each flank. A single door allows entry from the passenger side. Currently, the concept is powered by a four cylinder engine, but, naturally, we’ve also heard rumors of a possible electric drivetrain. Running down the center of the car’s hood and roof are solar panels that are reportedly capable of powering the vehicle’s climate system, which also saves energy by using waste heat from the IG’s drivetrain. We’re not sure exactly how the cooling system works, but it’s apparently been inspired by the thermal management system of your computer’s CPU. All in all, the IG Fantastic is an impressive concept vehicle. [Source: Autoblog Chinese , China Car Times ] Filed under: Solar , China Shanghai 2009: Geely IG concept would make a great EV originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Click on the image above for a gallery of the Tata Nano Once again, Tata Motors has confirmed that it plans to launch diesel , electric and compressed air-powered versions of its diminutive Nano microcar. We think that’s great, but it’s hard to get too excited about the prospect until the standard twin cylinder gas-powered model is actually available. On the electric front, the Indian automaker has reportedly acquired an interest in a Norwegian electric car company called Miljo Grenland Innovasjon, which could help get a low-speed electric version of the Nano on roadways sooner. Further off into the distance would be versions of the microcar using compressed air technology developed by MDI. Spokespeople for Tata Motors promise that Nano will enter production sometime before April of this year, with diesel-powered models scheduled to arrive before 2010. If the inexpensive little car ever makes it to U.S. shores, it may happen first as a low-speed electric vehicle , which would mean it wouldn’t be subject to the same strict safety standards that more traditional cars must meet. Gallery: Tata Nano: The People’s Car [Source: Green Car Advisor ] Filed under: Diesel , EV/Plug-in , NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) , Tata Tata Motors still working on electric and air-powered Nano models originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read  |  Permalink  |  Email this  |  Comments

Filed under: Diesel , EV/Plug-in , Hybrid , AutoblogGreen Exclusive , Green Daily Production delays are common in the automotive world. Just because we understand (to a degree) the complexities of bringing a car to market doesn’t mean we like them. In the green car space, especially, a lot of promises are made and then not delivered on. Looking through the AutoblogGreen archives, we found a lot of posts that listed when a new vehicle or technology was going to be on the market - and realized that those deadlines had not been met. Whether because of technical problems, protests, off-base financial predictions or a host of other reasons, stuff happens. What doesn’t always happen is a look back to see who was saying what. Everyone from the biggest OEM to the small start-ups has been guilty of delaying something here and there. We wish them no further delays, we just wanted to take stock of where we’ve been - and hopefully get a better idea of where we might be headed. If you’re a jaded “heard-all-the-hype-before” kind of person, this is your list. If you’re just learning about these vehicles and are trying to understand why a company can announce one thing and then later say another, click the links in each caption to read more about what happened. Ready? Take a look . Photo (unmixed) by fotologic . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0 . You want it when ? Top Ten missed eco-car production deadlines originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Emerging Technologies A rear seat that faces backwards. Powered by compressed air. Name like the AirPOD and FlowAIR . A windshield that doubles as the door. There are a lot of hurdles that MDI’s compressed air line of vehicles needs to jump before people will consider them “real” cars - or at least a solid alternative. At least one North American journalist was recently given the chance to see if riding in a prototype AirPOD is anything like a true car experience. The verdict: the vehicle is noisy, but maneuverable and takes some getting used to. Granted, MDI representatives say that there is a lot of work to do on the AirPOD - sound insulation and a better suspension were named by Green Car Advisor - before the vehicle goes on sale. MDI (which stands for Motor Development International and is based in Luxembourg) is saying that the first production models will be ready in March or April for around $8,300. These will be fleet vehicles used at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Consumer sales - whether in India with Tata Motors or in the US with an as-yet-unnamed partner - will have to wait. Gallery: New York 2008: MDI Air Car, X-Prize competitor [Source: Green Car Advisor ] Taking a ride in the Air Car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Emerging Technologies A rear seat that faces backwards. Powered by compressed air. Name like the AirPOD and FlowAIR . A windshield that doubles as the door. There are a lot of hurdles that MDI’s compressed air line of vehicles needs to jump before people will consider them “real” cars - or at least a solid alternative. At least one North American journalist was recently given the chance to see if riding in a prototype AirPOD is anything like a true car experience. The verdict: the vehicle is noisy, but maneuverable and takes some getting used to. Granted, MDI representatives say that there is a lot of work to do on the AirPOD - sound insulation and a better suspension were named by Green Car Advisor - before the vehicle goes on sale. MDI (which stands for Motor Development International and is based in Luxembourg) is saying that the first production models will be ready in March or April for around $8,300. These will be fleet vehicles used at Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Consumer sales - whether in India with Tata Motors or in the US with an as-yet-unnamed partner - will have to wait. Gallery: New York 2008: MDI Air Car, X-Prize competitor [Source: Green Car Advisor ] Taking a ride in the Air Car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments