Peugeot unveils hybrid air engine with 125 mpg

It’s not the first time the idea of a modern car running on compressed air has emerged.  But it’s a recent first and this time it’s Peugeot.

The french automaker has introduced a concept car that features a new Hybrid Air engine system which combines both a traditional petrol engine with compressed air.

The new engine system is capable of running only on air for 80 percent of its driving time. As a result, fuel economy is estimated at 125 miles per gallon.

The Hybrid Air system is expected to be installed into some existing models like the Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3, available only in Europe.

According to a Peugeot press release, this is how the compressed air system would work:

“An innovative combination of tried and tested technologies: a petrol engine, a unit to store energy in the form of compressed air, a hydraulic motor-pump assembly and an automatic transmission working with an epicyclic gear train.”

“The smart control system adapts the operating mode to the driver’s commands and optimises energy efficiency in three different modes: ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle), petrol internal combustion and combined.”