What happened to the ‘Air Car’ after Shark Tank?
After its 2015 Shark Tank appearance, the “air car” pitched by Zero Pollution Motors (the AIRPod, a compressed-air microcar licensed from Luxembourg-based MDI) did not make it to U.S. production. The on-air deal with Robert Herjavec never closed, the venture stalled amid licensing and funding hurdles, and as of 2025 there is no evidence of consumer deliveries or a U.S. manufacturing launch.
Contents
The pitch and the promise
The AIRPod was presented as an ultra-light urban vehicle powered primarily by compressed air, aimed at short city trips with quick refill times and a relatively low expected price compared with electric cars at the time. Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM), a U.S. venture tied to MDI’s technology, asked the Sharks for $5 million for 50% to build a microfactory and begin stateside production. Celebrity investor Robert Herjavec agreed in principle on-air, contingent on securing broader U.S. rights and resolving licensing details with the European technology holder.
What happened to the Shark’s deal
Post-show, the agreement unraveled. According to public updates over subsequent years, the licensing conditions required from MDI and the scope of U.S. rights could not be aligned with the terms Herjavec sought. Without a finalized deal, the capital and distribution support the entrepreneurs expected from Shark Tank did not materialize, and plans for a U.S. microfactory were shelved.
Post-show trajectory: announcements vs. outcomes
The project generated periodic headlines and social media posts, including talk of pilot production and preorders, but tangible progress toward U.S. homologation, assembly, and deliveries remained elusive. To clarify the key developments and non-developments over time, here is a concise chronology based on public reporting and company communications.
- 2015: ZPM’s Shark Tank pitch airs; a conditional deal with Robert Herjavec is announced on TV.
- 2015–2016: Negotiations with MDI over U.S. licensing reportedly stall; the TV deal is never consummated.
- 2016–2019: Occasional demonstrations and promotional updates appear, but no verified U.S. factory launch or retail deliveries emerge.
- 2020–2023: The venture’s online presence and communications grow sporadic; no regulatory approvals or U.S. sales are documented.
- 2024–2025: No mass production or U.S. consumer deliveries are evident; ZPM appears inactive, while MDI continues to publicize R&D concepts abroad.
Across this timeline, the pattern is consistent: the concept drew attention, but U.S. commercialization milestones—certification, factory buildout, and customer deliveries—did not materialize.
Why the rollout stalled
Industry analysts and the companies’ own updates point to a mix of technical, commercial, and regulatory challenges that proved difficult to overcome against the backdrop of rapid advances in lithium-ion electric vehicles. The following factors were especially consequential.
- Licensing complexity: Fragmented or evolving rights between the U.S. venture and the European IP holder complicated investment and go-to-market plans.
- Capital intensity: Even a “microfactory” requires substantial funding for tooling, safety testing, and certification—hard to secure without locked-in rights and clear timelines.
- Regulatory hurdles: Achieving U.S. safety and emissions compliance for a novel drivetrain and lightweight chassis is costly and time-consuming.
- Technology competition: As EV costs fell and charging infrastructure expanded, the relative appeal of compressed-air propulsion diminished.
- Market shifts and shocks: Changing consumer preferences, supply-chain disruptions, and pandemic-era uncertainties raised execution risk.
Taken together, these headwinds made it difficult to bridge the gap from prototype demonstrations to a certified, insurable, and serviceable production vehicle in the U.S.
Where things stand now (2025)
As of 2025, there is no evidence that Zero Pollution Motors launched U.S. production or delivered AIRPod vehicles to consumers. The on-air Shark Tank deal did not close, ZPM appears inactive, and the “air car” remains a concept with prototypes and pilot chatter rather than a market product in the United States. MDI continues to publicize research and limited demonstrations in Europe, but a broad commercial rollout has not occurred.
What this means for would-be buyers and watchers
For readers tracking the project or considering similar early-stage mobility concepts, the following practical notes may help navigate expectations and risk.
- Verify status: Look for current regulatory filings, homologation news, and confirmed factory openings—not just concept videos.
- Be cautious with preorders: If deposits are solicited, scrutinize escrow terms, refund policies, and delivery guarantees.
- Check serviceability: Assess parts, maintenance networks, and insurance availability before committing to any niche vehicle.
- Compare alternatives: Benchmark cost, range, refueling, and safety against mainstream EVs and certified neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).
These steps can help distinguish promising engineering from investable, roadworthy products with realistic delivery timelines.
Summary
The “air car” from Zero Pollution Motors captivated viewers on Shark Tank but did not transition into U.S. production. The on-air deal with Robert Herjavec collapsed amid licensing issues; subsequent years brought announcements but no verified factory launch, certifications, or customer deliveries in the U.S. As of 2025, the venture appears inactive, and the AIRPod remains a prototype-driven concept rather than a commercial reality for American drivers.
Why did the Air Car fail?
To have the practical range, the air had to be stored at extremely high pressure, and this required powerful tanks, which were expensive. The cost and the complexity of manufacturing such tanks made the whole project economically unviable. The other big issue was the energy efficiency used in the system.
Did the sharks invest in the Air Car?
And resin which helped keep production costs low tucker told the sharks. He had already purchased the US rights from a company in Luxmbourg.
How much are zero pollution motors worth?
Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Secured a contingent offer for $5 million for 50% equity from Robert Herjavec (deal did not close) |
| Investment Ask | $5 million |
| Equity Offered | 50% |
| Valuation | $10 million |
What was the $10 K Air Car that vanished after the tank?
the AIRPod
The $10K Air Car That Vanished After the Tank 🚗💨🔍 Two founders pitched the AIRPod, a futuristic, zero-emission car powered entirely by compressed air. 100-mile range. $10,000 price tag.
