Review of Energy-Efficient Pneumatic Propulsion Systems in Vehicle Applications

Ryszard Dindorf () and Jakub Takosoglu
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Ryszard Dindorf: Department of Mechatronics and Armament, Faculty of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Kielce University of Technology, 25-314 Kielce, Poland
Jakub Takosoglu: Department of Mechatronics and Armament, Faculty of Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Kielce University of Technology, 25-314 Kielce, Poland

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-48

Abstract: This review comprehensively presents the development of energy-efficient pneumatic propulsion systems (PPSs) in road vehicle applications, which are classified as green vehicles. The advantages and disadvantages of PPSs were presented, and PPSs were compared with combustion propulsion systems (CPSs) and electric propulsion systems (EPSs), as well as their power-to-weight ratios (PWRs), energy densities, and CO 2 emissions. The review of compressed air vehicles (CAVs) focuses on their historical development and future prospects. This review discusses the use of PPSs with compressed air engines (CAEs) as an alternative propulsion system in green vehicles, providing a simple, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly solution. This review also discusses hybrid air propulsion, which, when combined with internal combustion engines (ICEs) or electric motors (EMs), offers innovative energy-efficient propulsion systems that are more economical than conventional hybrid propulsion systems. This review focuses on recent advances in lightweight air vehicles that improve vehicle handling, increase efficiency, and reduce propulsion energy consumption. Discussion of the study results concerns the use of PPSs in a three-wheeled rehabilitation tricycle (RTB). A comprehensive computation model of the RTB was presented, and the key performance parameters crucial to its operation were analyzed. The results of the RTB simulation were verified through field tests.

Keywords: pneumatic propulsion system; energy efficiency; air vehicle; hybrid air vehicle; light air vehicle; rehabilitation tricycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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