Peugeot-Citroen to power cars with compressed air?

Peugeot-Citroen to power cars with compressed air?

Peugeot-Citroen has looked to change the way that hybrid cars are designed, with the unveiling of a unique vehicle that runs on compressed air.

The prototype car is fitted with a state-of-the-art hybrid drivetrain deemed Hybrid Air, which uses compressed air as a secondary source of propulsion instead of electricity.

All of this is made possible through the creation of a conventional petrol-powered internal combustion engine, which works with a bespoke epicyclic transmission and is assisted by a hydraulic motor. It is this hydraulic motor which is powered by compressed air.

Peugeot-Citroen has also used regenerative braking on its prototype vehicle as a means of generating energy, in a process which grants the car's motor and pump the opportunity to refill the tank with air when required.

According to the French car giant, a typical supermini equipped with this technology will be capable of travelling for 141 miles per gallon of unleaded fuel.

What's more, a car similar in size to a Citroen C3 or Peugeot 208 should be able to lower its CO2 emissions to as little as 69g/km.

The first production models to run on compressed air are set to launch by 2016.

Posted by Louise Clark