Visitors to Cenex Expo 2024 looking for novel drive trains for zero emission and electrically sensitive environments should explore Airtech Ventures’ stand (SP-12) where they will find Zeap, a compressed air powered vehicle.

Zeap aligns with the L7 heavy quadricycle category: unladen mass not exceeding 450 kg for passenger vehicles or 600 kg for vehicles intended for carrying goods, maximum net engine power not exceeding 15 kW and maximum design speed of 90 km/h. 

Zeap’s development began in 2021, supported by a Scottish Enterprise grant. The initial focus involved the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) required to enhance the pneumatic motor to meet the vehicle’s power, distance and load specifications. The result is the Gen 2 motor currently under test.

For last mile delivery applications, distance travelled typically ranges between 11 and 18 miles. This matches ‘hub and spoke’ applications based in cities and industrial environments. Zeap’s design specification includes a 40 km range and 40 kph top speed on a single charge.

Zeap also suits industrial applications where compressed air infrastructure exists. For example, passenger terminals are typically flat and clean and the vehicle is exhausting instrument air which is cleaner than the air we breathe.

Electrically sensitive environments can also benefit from this technology. Without high voltage, high current battery packs there is less electrical noise which is important in electronics facilities.

Key elements of Zeap’s power train include the air tank (350 bar), motors and drive-by-wire intelligent throttle designed to balance output and efficiency.

Learn more: www.zeap.com