The CityCAT is a vehicle developed by Motor Development International (MDI). The Indian automaker claims that the CityCAT will run on air with 0 (that’s zero) emissions.

MDI manufactured a whopping eleven CityCATs for evaluation purposes. The next step, they say, is to produce a line of cars that are actually comfortable and drivable. Their website boasts a range of models in one stage of production or another (mostly another – meaning they’re still in the concept stage).  The models vary from three to six seats, not counting their ambitious Multi Flow Air public transportation vehicle aimed at the mass transit market segment.  While the actual production so far is underwhelming, the conceptual models put them well ahead of the competition in terms of releasing an affordable, drivable car that is not dependent on oil.

While the concept is exciting and the models are enough to make any good environmentalist drool, there are some signs that all may not be right in MDI land.  First off all, each model is now being designed in two varieties – a pure compressed air version and a “dual fuel” version, which would make it a low, but not zero, emission vehicle.  This concession is a troubling sign that the compressed air technology is not as promising as it once seemed.  Perhaps more concerning is the target release date for the US being pushed back from late 2009 to early 2010 to “who knows when”.

I hope this technology is for real.  Even though the Flow Air models that MDI has posted on their website are small and silly looking, the cars could catch on if the technology is real and the price points are where they claim – a fully loaded but tiny open top model for about $7500 US, the more robust City Flow Air model (complete with six seats and a roof)  for just under $18,000.