Air car(1979)

Miller develops a compressed air vehicles.

The compressed air car is a compressed air vehicle which uses a motor powered by compressed air.

In 1979, American terry miller showed that it was possible for a car to run on compressed air alone. After developing his air car one, which he build for $1,500 miller patented his method in 1983

Instead of burning fuel to drive piston with hot expanding gas, air cars used the expansion of compressed air to drive the piston. Initially energy is involved in compressing the air, and this is usually done with electricity , but it is still a more environmental friendly process than that of gasoline cars. Many companies are developing air car, though they are yet to be released for the public this is likely to happen in the very near future.

There are few drawbacks that the air cars must overcome before it hits the market big time. When air expands from its compressed state, the engine is cooled and this can be encourage icing. Also, in the event of an accident, the compressed air tanks are liable to explode. However, the air car certainly has advantages over gasoline powered cars and other designs for  the future, not least of which that it 20 percent less than a current car. Without a combustion engine the wear and tear on internal parts is minimal and, with zero harmful emission, the air car is an attractive design for the next step in car manufacturing.

Even with its low maintenance cost, the air car is arguably still the underdog in the race for next generation of car. Fuel cell and hydrogen based models, as well as various hybrid designs, are ahead in the running, but as none of these have hit the commercial market yet, the top design for the future of the car is still to be decided. Air car is one which is finally moved from dream to reality.