What if there was a car that ran on compressed air and electricity that gave off virtually no pollutants? That definitely sounds like the kind of car that we’re talking about. Thankfully, someone has already viewed that what if as a possibility and has created the MiniCat (mini Compressed Air Technology car). This new small golf cart type car runs on compressed air and oil (1 liter of vegetable oil, actually) and can travel for eight hours for the incredible cheap price of…. two bucks!

How does this car get its power? Like I mentioned above: compressed air tanks! 90 cubic meters of air tanks, actually. Sounds dangerous to have that much of compressed air under the trunk? Not exactly. According to the creators of the Air Car, they have tested and retested the air tanks to ensure safety. What about oil changes? The car uses 1 liter of vegetable oil and needs an oil change every 31,000 miles.

But this car isn’t all it seems- the French creator doesn’t have a steady income yet, and with only three prototypes made, we here at the Nearby Future are having a hard time believing this too good to be true story. And- according to a grudging MDI- the prototypes have not yet lived up to their goals. In one of the first published tests, the car ran little over 4.5 miles- not even close to the promised amount of mileage for one tank. If the prototypes aren’t at their full potential, what makes the company think that it can get one up and running as soon as they think they can? The company is almost over confident, and they are selling licenses to other people around the world to make and sell the Air Car locally when their first prototype travels a measly 4.5 miles.

What do you think about this car? Do you agree with us that it’s far from completed and a little too good to be true? Or do  you think that MDI is right on the money?

The car debate is continuing- with many, many companies out there finding creative ways to make cars run efficiently without the use of things like gasoline. Who knows? Maybe the car of the future will run on recyclables! Until then, The Nearby Future will be covering every aspect of this speedy revolution.

The MiniCAT by MDI

-Rika