Tata's Air-Fueled Car May Launch This Year  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indian carmaker Tata Motors apparently hasn’t giving up to make the dream car fueled by air despite doubts whether the car would be convenient for everyday use. Business Standard reported that Tata AIRPod is set to be introduced in the United States on the second semester of 2015.

More than seven years ago, the Mumbai-based automobile company had signed an agreement with Luxembourg-based Motor Development International (MDI)  to produce and sell cars running on air. In 2012, the company declared it had tested the technology on two of its cars. But no further guidance was given.

Tata AIRPod uses compressed air as the fuel that similar to steam engine without water vessel or coals. In full-tank state, Tata AIRPod can run up to 200 kilometers with 80 kilometer per hour maximum speed.

Instead of conventional steering wheel, the car is said to have joystick for navigation. It also has communication system.

"This is a long-term project and a tricky and challenging one. But these are areas we need to invest in to make sure that we can innovate and manufacture disruptive products in the future,” said Timothy Leverton, president and head, advance and product engineering of Tata Motors.

FERY F