The development of compressed air vehicles often gets obscured by hybrid and all-electric vehicles created by major automakers. Moteur Development International (MDI) took the first step toward getting compressed air vehicles in the news with delivery of two AirPods to Dutch airline KLM two weeks ago. KLM will work with the facilities staff at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to incorporate a pair of AirPods into its transportation chain over the next three months. In addition to creating buzz for its green portfolio, KLM is also hoping to slowly but surely reduce emissions in its vehicle fleet.
The AirPod is powered by MDI’s Compressed Air Engine, which manipulates compressed air to move the pistons based on driver needs. The automaker is using its air-only engine in the AirPods delivered to KLM, demonstrating the client’s interest in reduced emissions. MDI has also developed a hybrid engine capable of running on compressed air and gasoline or biofuels. The AirPods used at Schiphol Airport feature an outboard air compressor while the hybrid AirPod contains a built-in compressor.
MDI touts the AirPod as the ideal vehicle for the day-to-day demands of an airport. The AirPod features three adult seats along with a small cargo area for light luggage and packages. The vehicle’s 137-mile range is more than sufficient not only for Schiphol Airport but also neighborhood and campus travel. MDI notes that the AirPod can only reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour, which may limit its applicability outside of the NEV niche.
MDI’s delivery to KLM dovetailed with a recent report by researchers at the University of California-Berkeley questioning the performance levels of compressed air vehicles. Representatives of the French automaker countered this report by pointing out the AirPod’s merits compared to gas and electric versions of smart cars. The automaker has noted that the comparisons between the AirPod and various smart models are not apt given that its model is half the weight of its competitors. The compressed air tank on the AirPod is supposed to last up to 12,000 discharges, which MDI noted could last 30 years with daily use. The performance of AirPods used at Schiphol Airport in 2010 will ultimately eliminate or confirm the criticisms in the UC-Berkeley report.
