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The energy challenges of mobility

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Published on: September 10, 2019
Updated on: January 31, 2024

Energy and environmental effects

All over the world, temperature records were broken this summer, accompanied by pollution peaks. On August 17th, 2019, a busy day for vacationers, the Rhône valley turned red on the monoxide pollution map.
The use of fossil fuels in heat engines for the transport of goods and people is therefore largely responsible.
The composition of vehicle fleets gives pride of place to these vehicles, as shown by ADEME.

Solutions and warnings

In fact, Europe has decided to ban thermal vehicles on its market and promote other energies: gas, hydrogen and electric vehicles with the aim of reducing 37.5% emissions from the sector by 2030. Carlos Tavares , the boss of Peugeot, warns the media, national and European authorities about the harmful effects of this obligation.

The NGO “Transport and Environment” explains that battery problems must be addressed. Today, these batteries have a carbon footprint. They become ineffective and not recycled. Furthermore, they are often produced under immoral conditions.

Small problems linked to these energies

Some major problems with these technologies are exposed by those who sometimes produce them under the injunction of the state. Not to mention the little hassles associated with their daily use.

Gas : clauses linked to fear of explosion. Although authorized by the decree of April 3, 2000 to park in underground car parks. Despite having a safety valve, gas vehicles are often refused access.
Electricity : First of all, they have limited autonomy. In addition, batteries have a loss of performance. And finally, they have high prices masked by government aid. As a result, few people can afford a purchase price of 30,000 euros (followed by battery replacement a few years later). And therefore, manufacturers initially offer them for long-term rental. And then they resell them used.
Hydrogen: In addition to the very high costs, hydrogen production is also polluting when fossil fuels are used. Unaffordable when produced by renewable energies.

Finally, thermal engines have made progress in terms of efficiency and pollution gains. But in reality, the increase in the weight of vehicles linked to the multiplication of equipment for some is justified, for others, gadgets cancel them out.

Little room for more Responsible Mobility

What transport solutions are professionals looking for in the urban environment? Those which will offer them gains in the supply chain in financial terms, efficiency and image.
These gains come through the organization. But the choice of equipment and energy must be adapted to their real needs. The notion of the economy of just what is necessary is essential.

Furthermore, the decisions put in place by the authorities revolve around the energies cited. Mainly, electrical energy. However, other solutions present interesting alternatives for mobility. On the other hand, they are not cited wars.

An unexpected alternative

One of the alternatives to consider is that of the compressed air engine. This solution is often denigrated because it only uses little energy. Yet, she can finally show off her accomplishments.

The MDI SA company was the first to address this possibility. By changing minds, today, many people are practicing it. And many others, including Peugeot in 2014-2016 for energy recovery.

What has long been perceived as a utopia has long been considered as a possibility by an engine manufacturer with a free and open visionary spirit: Guy NEGRE. His son Cyril, an engine engineer, joined the adventure, and now continues his father's work.
The legitimacy of this crazy project is enshrined in contracts between MDI and Tata Motors, or MDI and Veolia, to name a few. That of Cyril by Mr ARTIOLI who quotes him in his work on The Bugatti Saga in Italy, in which Cyril was involved in the engineers' offices.

The principle: replace the compression created in the heat engine by the “explosion” of a fossil fuel, with another form? why not compressed air? (Or using the term of the new European regulations: “pre-compressed air”).

Moreover, the first vehicles with “pre-compressed” air saw the light of day in the years 2000-2010. While the standards in Europe that would have allowed their exploitation did not exist.

The tip: the energy embedded in the compressed air reserves being low, it was necessary to reduce the constraints linked to weight. Vehicles are designed around the most important element: the air reserve. The work developed focused on the efficiency of the expansion, leading to engines with a profitability of 65 %.

Achievements that show its relevance

Today, the vehicles created bring Compressed Air Engine technology into everyday life:

the Airpod 2.0 : in private or utility version for Pick-up or cargo models.

Airvolution: A waste collection vehicle made for Véolia. The vehicle was launched to the public in June 2019 by Veolia and the City of Lille and participates in the cleaning of the Urban Community.

Green'Air: a Golf leisure vehicle, and small derivatives in captive fleets for communities, airports, university campuses. The first demonstrator will be presented to the public next October.

These different vehicles, all designed around Compressed Air engine technology, have no reason to be ashamed of their performance. They fulfill the specifications that have been imposed on them. They can transport a load of 1 m3 for the Airpod 2.0 Cargo, or a load of 1.3 tonnes of waste for Airvolution.

The advantages of the Compressed Air motor

The vehicles created are light and maneuverable and therefore consume little energy. For example, the Airpod with a full tank of air allows you to easily drive 100 km in an urban cycle.

We can fill up with air like a full fuel, in 2 minutes on an air station making a vehicle usable 24 hours a day within its scope of work.

Compressed air can be produced inexpensively using renewable energies (solar, wind, tidal turbine, etc.). It is easily stored in air station reserves (CAES principle): ZERO emissions.

The reserves last the life of the vehicle: no change and no loss of efficiency.

The air engine produces cold and therefore “free” refrigeration/air conditioning.

In addition, body materials allow designs that are adapted to different needs. They also allow easy repairs. All these elements give compressed air engine technology: zero emissions.

Finally, the UN understood this well in December 2016 by officially recognizing the quality of the technology. The UN has awarded MDI an “Award” for its energy management for sustainable transport.