A Car That Runs on Air

This powertrain, named "Hybrid Air," combines a gasoline engine with an air pressure motor. It offers three driving modes: gasoline engine only, air pressure motor only, and a hybrid combination.

The pressure motor is operated by a tank (accumulator) installed in the center tunnel. It also includes a built-in pump and an energy recovery system that compresses air using deceleration resistance and returns it to the tank, similar to hybrid systems with batteries and motors.


While the group has already introduced hybrids with diesel engines and electric motors, as well as EVs, the advantage of this air hybrid lies in its effectiveness and affordability, as it is based on existing technology. Furthermore, because pressure motors using compressed air are already widely distributed globally as industrial machinery, maintenance does not require specialized techniques or tools.

As this is still in the research phase, no data regarding output or range has been released. However, the intended vehicles for this system are B-segment or C-segment passenger cars and commercial vehicles equipped with gasoline engines producing 82 to 110 ps. In other words,Citroen "C3"orPeugeot "208"are the likely candidates. If these vehicles were equipped with this system, fuel efficiency is projected to be 2.9 L/100km (approximately 34.48 km/L), with CO2 emissions at 69g/km.

The operation of this hybrid system is clearly explained in the publicly released video.