Sustainability and renewable energy should be top priorities for all industries, especially vehicles and the automotive industry. With cars being one of the most common methods of transportation, we must make strides towards more eco-friendly options.
Companies such as Ford, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Tesla, and Toyota are just a few examples of those who manufacture eco-friendly cars. Some bring them to market more frequently than others.
Furthermore, many businesses were working on producing air-powered automobiles. The objective of air-powered vehicles is to eliminate the use of gasoline, petrol, and other fuels for vehicle propulsion. It’s a new firm founded by young entrepreneurs who wanted to build a car driven by air.
On the hit show Shark Tank, Air Car was pitched as the next significant innovation in transportation. The company’s founder, Mark Cuban, was so impressed with the product that he offered to invest in the business. But what happened after the show? Did Air Car take off and become a household name? Or did it fizzle out and disappear into obscurity? Read on to find out!
What Is Air Car (Zero Pollution Motors)?
Also known as AirPods, these cars use compressed air to operate [1].
Air Cars are environmentally friendly and use renewable energy, which are two attention-grabbing facts. The company has a license that allows it to manufacture and sell these cars in the United States.
There are 3 types of Air Cars: AirPod Baby, AirPod Standard, and AirPod Cargo. The difference between them is the number of seats they have and how much cargo space they have for storage.
These automobiles would be utilized in cities and towns with noise and air pollution being a severe problem. The firm intends to split into numerous micro-factories for the production and sale of air cars in distinct sections of the United States to easily access the US market.
How Does a Zero Pollution Motor (Air Car) Work?
The founders of Air Car sought to diminish society’s reliance on petrol and other non-renewable fuels as well as lower the environmental impact of vehicles [2].
These cars work best in the city or urban environments where noise and air pollution aren’t as big of an issue. To make it easier to serve the US market, the company plans on opening up various micro-factories all over America for manufacturing and selling these cars.
The goal of the Air Car, Air Drops, and Air Standard is to be three-wheeled cars that produce no noise or pollution and can be utilized in an urban setting. It also lowers expenses and addresses the difficulties of conventional manufacturing in the automobile sector.
Who Is The Founder Of Air Car (Zero Pollution Motors)?
Ethan Tucker and Pat Boone, who had careers in the entertainment industry, founded Zero Pollution Motors in the 2000s. They claimed to have two decades of experience in the motor industry even though their experience was primarily in other areas.
When Ethan was writing a film about Nikola Tesla, one of the great technological innovators, AirPods came into his head. Pat and Ethan had previously worked in the entertainment industry together before joining the corporate world. They banded together to create what they called the first air vehicle manufacturer in the United States.
Ethan and Boone’s desire to construct environmentally friendly automobiles was fueled by a mission to create no-emission locomotives that would protect the environment in congested cities such as Los Angeles. They hoped to make a significant change in the world by eventually reducing transportation fuel usage and eliminating tailpipe emissions [3].
Air Car (Zero Pollution Motors) Before Shark Tank
Pat and Ethan, as business and entertainment personalities respectively, became disturbed by the ever-growing levels of pollution. They dreamed of finding a solution that would serve American cities by providing clean air and peace of mind.
The reduction of pollution from fossil fuels was a major issue for them. The Zero Pollution Motors concept was inspired by Tesla. Ethan had to create a film about Tesla in Vermont to satisfy his desire for clean technology.
Ethan and Pat collaborated to establish their first manufacturing plant in Hawaii. They were granted the rights to produce the AirPods before appearing on Shark Tank. Investors, on the other hand, delayed providing funding for their projects after gaining licensing in 2010. The difficulties they faced have been resolved, according to them.
Air Car (Zero Pollution Motors) On Shark Tank: The Pitch
As Pat Boone entered the stage, the Sharks were reminded of him. Ethan Tucker came out first, introducing himself to the Sharks. He informed them he was from Vermont’s green mountain region. Pat Boone followed, proudly proclaiming himself a faded singer and an eternal entrepreneur. In exchange for $5 million in equity, Zero Pollution Motors is offering 50% ownership. The crowd of investors, they said, wanted to provide the clogged cities of America with no-pollution cars. Pat Boone revealed the Air Car on stage by removing a covering from something. It was tiny compared to a vehicle, maybe even smaller than a bike. Boone claimed that it operated on air. Mark and Daymond appeared amused.
The pair then showed a video of one of the Air Cars in motion. As the yellow car made its way through the snow, Boone explained that air is the most abundant source of fuel available, and vehicles like this use compressed air to drive their engines. The video displayed a man entering the vehicle. The person entered the vehicle, and the entire top rose as he went inside. Robert appeared pleased as the passenger’s top descended.
Boone claimed that the Air Car was vastly superior to an electric automobile. Alex agreed, stating that it was less expensive and didn’t require costly batteries. Boone stated that the car onstage was smaller than its life-size version, but it was just a prototype.
Pat entreated the Sharks to take an exciting journey into the future with his innovative company. Robert said that he knew Pat had sold a lot of records in the past, but Boone replied saying he wasn’t sure how many because oftentimes artists don’t get paid for all of their work. Boone said that he loved automobiles and that he drove them. He wanted to give it a go himself. Boone asked why they didn’t bring the complete version with them. Boone explained that he needed to ensure that the automobile met safety standards before it could be driven on the road. Robert inquired if it was a mass-produced automobile, and Boone confirmed that it was, stating that it was already moving into production mode.
Mark asked if they were already licensed to build the plant. Boone said they had the right to build the first manufacturing plant in the United States. He explained that it didn’t work on combustion like regular cars, but with compressed air and compulsion – using the example of a balloon. You blow into it and let go, and it’s propelled forward. Lunchbox on Wheels goes about 50 miles per hour, according to Boone. Robert asked whether it was self-perpetuating or if there was a set amount of compressed air in the tank. Ethan said that you simply connect the vehicle to any outlet and let it charge for four hours. Boone said that the engine charges itself and compresses the air automatically.
Robert asked how long the car’s battery would last. Ethan said that they have a range of 100 miles. Robert asked if he was in the market for either an electric car or a gas-powered car, and why he would choose the former. Ethan told him that he would make that choice because electric cars are cheaper to operate and maintain, and can be charged up in 4 minutes at a gas station air compressor. The Sharks inquired about the price, and Boone replied that it was $10,000. They all appeared shocked. Daymond asked what was wrong with it that it could be so inexpensive. Boone said because the machine might be manufactured very simply,
Lori inquired about their manufacturing process, to which Boone replied that they were planning on doing it in Hawaii. Kevin was curious as to why they chose such a location and Boone explained that it is a closed community with little pollution; an ideal place for testing out the cars. He went on to say that he doesn’t envision a large central manufacturing plant, but rather multiple smaller ones – saving both money and environmental costs associated with shipping.
Lori then requested information regarding my key worry, which is how it will perform in a collision test. Because they only had three prototypes, they haven’t done crash tests yet, according to Ethan. Mark stated that marketing was essential because not only did they need to get people aware of the product, but the potential customers also needed to trust it. Boone agreed and said that is why they were starting their journey in Hawaii. Robert clarified that their license was limited to Hawaii and didn’t cover the whole United States – Boone confirmed his statement.
The investors responded that the Zero Pollution Motors firm with an MDI connection already had manufacturing facilities in India and France. Kevin wanted to make sure that if he invested, he would own and control all of the cars produced in Hawaii, and another plant in San Francisco wouldn’t be able to steal his profits. Boone said it would not happen. Mark interrupted and said he’d simplify things a bit by looking at how India operates. He plans to go there to study it.
Even though he was a foreigner, Robert requested permission to operate in the entire United States. Ethan asked him if he had $200 million on hand. Kevin added that their method isn’t logical. Ethan said they would be the first to establish themselves in Hawaii, but Kevin told him someone else would beat them to it. Kevin stated he could cut a deal with MDI motors himself, and Ethan challenged him to try; saying he didn’t think it would work.
Kevin said the best way to make it work would be to sit down and plan production for all 50 states. Daymond told them they wanted to build a bakery without tasting the cake first. He then stated he knows the challenges they would face in legal areas, but it was too early for his involvement – so he left.
Lori pointed out that she enjoys using green products, and the vehicle may be a hero in her words. Lori also requested that they acquire worldwide rights to the project. The next to leave was Lori. Kevin informed them that an investor would find their agreement unfavorable because the profits are 20 years into the future. Robert was the only one who remained inside after this. Robert said he was very enthused.
He claimed that it was a $10,000 commuter vehicle and that everyone would want one. He offered them $5 million for 50% ownership in the chance to negotiate rights to bring it to the United States. They accepted his offer and shook hands as a result of their deal [4].
Air Car (Zero Pollution Motors) Now In 2022
In March 2016, they posted images of the construction process of their Sardinia factory as being “underway”.
Unfortunately, Zero Pollution Motors is no longer in operation. The company was most well-known for its AIRPod, a vehicle that ran on compressed air and was, therefore, more environmentally friendly than traditional gas-powered cars [5].
Originally, Air Car planned to produce eco-friendly vehicles to compete with traditional gas guzzlers, but production delays and changes in plans eventually led to the shutdown of operations. It’s unclear what exactly happened, but it seems that Air Car never got off the ground (literally!).
It has been over two years since the firm updated its social media sites or website with any manufacturing updates. The only information provided is that the first batch of pre-ordered AirPods will be delivered by March 2019, which did not end up happening [6].
If you’re interested in staying updated on the latest Air Car news, or getting added to the waiting list, head over to our website and sign up today.
The Net Worth Of Air Car (Zero Pollution Motors)
In September 2013, it was announced that the vehicle will be on sale in the summer of 2014. The base model has a 100-kilometer range and starts at 7000 Euros. There is also a variant with a better engine that utilizes petrol in addition to compressed air; this one offers a 250-kilometer range for 8000 Euros [7].
FAQ
When was Zero Pollution Motors founded?
Zero Pollution Motors was founded in 2000 [8]. The Air Car is a three-wheeled electric car that runs on compressed air. It was invented by French engineer Guy Negre. The Air Car works by using a compressor to fill its tanks with compressed air, which is then used to power the engine. The engine converts the air pressure into mechanical energy, which turns the wheels.
What was Ethan’s first project?
The two men had prior experience in the entertainment business but said they had spent two decades in the motor industry. Ethan was an actor, playwright, and producer while Pat played the guitar.
What was the biggest challenge of this project?
The biggest challenge for the team was to get people to take them seriously. This was a new industry for them and they had no prior experience in it. They also had to deal with a lot of skepticism from potential investors.
Ethan and Pat knew that they needed to create a working prototype if they wanted to have any chance of getting their project off the ground. They spent months working on it, day and night, until they finally had something that they could show potential investors.
Even then, it was an uphill battle convincing people that their idea was viable. But eventually, they found some backers and were able to start production on their first batch of cars.
What are Zero Pollution Motors’ goals?
They want to change the way people think about electric cars and show that they can be just as good as, if not better, traditional gas-powered vehicles.
What makes Zero Pollution Motors different?
Zero Pollution Motors is different because they are not only focused on making a quality product, but they are also focused on making a difference. They want to show the world that electric cars can be just as good as gas-powered cars and that they can be more affordable and better for the environment.
The company has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and it looks like they are well on its way to achieving its goals. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Zero Pollution Motors.
How much is the Air Car?
AirCar accommodates a total weight of up to 440 pounds for two people and has a top in-flight speed of 118 miles per hour. Unlike other flying car prototypes, AirCar is restricted to horizontal takeoff and landing like traditional airplanes instead of being able to vertically take off or land. Klein’s project took two years from start to finish and cost approximately $2 million [9].
What is the most successful product on Shark Tank?
Bombas has been extremely successful, with more than $225 million in lifetime sales. They have generated the highest sales of any company on Shark Tank. Not only are their socks and T-shirts cozy and comfortable, but for every item sold, they donate one to help the homeless [10].
Who is the most successful “shark”?
The most successful “shark” on the show is Mark Cuban. He has invested in over 60 businesses and his net worth is estimated to be $4,6 billion. Cuban made his fortune in the tech industry, selling startups Broadcast.com and MicroSolutions. He is now the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and Landmark Theatres, as well as a major investor on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank.
When it comes to business, Cuban is known for being smart, passionate, and always looking for the next big thing. And that’s exactly what he saw in Zero Pollution Motors.
Which “shark” has made the most successful deals?
Of the five “sharks” on the show, Barbara Corcoran has made the most successful deals. Out of her 41 investments, 23 have gone on to become extremely successful. She has an estimated net worth of $80 million and is known for being tough but fair in her negotiations.
Corcoran was immediately interested in Zero Pollution Motors and saw the potential in its product. After some back-and-forth negotiating, she eventually agreed to invest $500,000 in the company for a 20% stake.
Useful Video: Air Car Company Wants To Sell $10K Cars In US This Year
References
- https://crazyfintech.com/what-happened-to-air-car-after-shark-tank/
- https://www.bstrategyinsights.com/what-happened-to-zero-pollution-motors-after-shark-tank/
- https://biznewske.com/air-car-shark-tank-update
- https://gazettereview.com/2016/09/zero-pollution-motors-update-happened-shark-tank/
- https://biznewske.com/air-car-shark-tank-update/
- https://crazyfintech.com/what-happened-to-air-car-after-shark-tank/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIRPod
- https://www.bstrategyinsights.com/what-happened-to-zero-pollution-motors-after-shark-tank/
- https://www.nbccomedyplayground.com/what-happened-to-zero-pollution-motors-after-shark-tank/
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/082415/10-most-successful-products-shark-tank.asp
