The AirPod is a ZEV (zero emissions vehicle) that was displayed this past autumn and is now rolled out again at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. The AirPod has a range of 137 miles on a 46-gallon tank and according to the manufacturer will be priced at around $7,500 when it rolls off the production line in a couple of years.

When most people think of zero emissions vehicles they generally think of hydrogen cars or battery electric vehicles since there are no emissions coming out the tailpipe. As with an electric vehicle, however, the energy from coal or gas fired power plants is converted into a kind of stored energy (in this case air) to be used at a later date.

A greener scenario for the AirPod however, would be to use renewable energy such as solar, wind, hydro or geothermal to create the electricity in the first place. The compressors would use this electricity to fill the AirPod with air and off you go!

It’s a cute little city car meaning that it will not achieve highway speeds, so no Southern California driving for you my little friend. This MDI AirPod is supposed to rollout in certain cities in Europe where high speeds are not an issue.

While the AirPod may just be full of hot air, sometimes this may be a very green way to go.

Now, much has already been written about the MDI Air Cars, which are being produced in India and set to hit the showroom by this coming August. MDI MiniCat, OneCat and CityCat models have varying degrees of speeds (up to 68 mph) and ranges (up to 125 miles) and come equipped with onboard compressors or can be refueled at gasoline stations that are equipped with air compressors able to go above the 4,000 psi mark.

In 2000, MDI also unveiled its e.Volution compressed air car that was one of the first prototypes. But, MDI is not the only manufacturers of air powered cars and vehicles. Jem Stansfield propels his moped using air power. Engineair of Australia also has come up with their own compressed air engine as has K’Airmobiles. And, a Korean company named Energine has also come out with a pneumatic-hybrid electric engine that uses compressed air for acceleration plus climbing up hills.

Then again, if you happen to be a do-it-yourself type of person, you may just want to convert your existing car to run on compressed air. This project won’t be for everyone, but for those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty in order to clean up the environment, this is another alternative one needs consider.