Abu Dhabi: The inventor of a motor engine that runs on thin air is pitching his innovation to UAE authorities.

Armando Regusci, who is showcasing his "zero pollution" engine at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, which ends January 20, said, "The summit has become the centre of the world for renewable energy solutions - and the best solution is to use just air. "Air is free, limitless and safe; there are no pollution exhausts. You'll just be putting clean air back into the city."

The 71-year-old scientist from Uruguay said the engine - which uses compressed air to drive the pistons - would be ideal in public transport services. Regusci has tested his engine system on purpose-built cars and bikes, which have gone over 100 kilometres on a single "charge" - typically 300 litres of air for an average car.

Public transport

He said government transport buses - with plenty of room on top and underneath for several air "fuel" tanks - would be ideal users of the technology. "They have low speeds and plenty of station stops. They can be recharged at gas pumps that have electric compresses for air refills. On-board compressors are another option," Regusci said.

"It's like a battery, but can be charged in minutes instead of hours. And it doesn't lose power even if it just sits there for years."

The engineer - whose great-grandfather Alessandro Volta invented the world's first working battery - has tied up with a UAE-based business partner to find investors. Regusci and partner Nassir Arzam Khan now hold the global patent on Regusci's version of the air engine system. Arzam Khan, chairman of an agricultural factory in Umm Al Quwain, said: "It works perfectly, but people just don't know about it. We're here to show a prototype and appeal to UAE authorities to see its potential in solving the world's energy and pollution problems."

How it works

1 Valves release compressed air

2 Air pushes pistons

3 Pistons rotate car differential system

4 System drives wheels

5 Wheels move car