Unique machine creates gasoline from... air

Aircela's machine demonstrates its ability to convert air into gasoline on a rooftop in New York, which can be used in a standard engine without any further modifications.

In Manhattan’s Garment District, New York City, Aircela has unveiled a machine that produces gasoline directly from air. The compact, modular device, about the size of a refrigerator, combines direct air collection and on-site fuel synthesis in one system. It runs on renewable electricity and produces gasoline that is fully compatible with existing engines, requiring no additional modifications.

Aircela’s approach differs from traditional fuel synthesis plants. Rather than requiring a large, centralized facility, their solution is designed for decentralized production. The machine captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and converts it into clean gasoline on site. The fuel contains no sulfur, ethanol, or heavy metals, and can be used in any gasoline engine without infrastructure upgrades.

“We’re not building a prototype, we’re building a machine that works,” said Eric Dahlgren, CEO of Aircela. The system is designed to be easy to plug and play, and can operate in residential, commercial, or industrial environments with minimal installation.

The project has received support from several major investors, including Ripple founder Chris Larsen and investor Jeff Ubben. The technology is based on previous research by physicist Klaus Lackner, a pioneer in direct air collection.

Lackner also attended the launch event to explain the science behind the machine’s carbon capture process. Aircela’s system builds on that research with a ready-to-use commercial solution.

Petroleum powers more than 90% of the world ’s vehicles, fueling transportation, supporting industry and playing an integral role in everyday life. But its environmental impact is huge, emitting carbon dioxide that pollutes the air and drives climate change. Efforts to replace petroleum with electricity or other fuels often face barriers in terms of infrastructure and the cost of upgrading vehicles.

New York-based Aircela believes it has found a breakthrough. Founded in 2019 by Mia and Eric Dahlgren, the company has been on the road to real-world testing in just a few years. Backing from early investors has helped them move quickly from development to testing.

Aircela plans to begin widespread deployment of the machine in the fall of 2025, targeting commercial and industrial users looking for non-fossil fuel.

Previously, in 2014, Air Fuel Synthesis - a small company in Stockton-on-Tees, England announced that they had successfully created a system to produce gasoline from CO2 and steam. After starting the system, the company produced 5 liters of gasoline. The company then wanted to build a large-scale factory to produce a ton of gasoline per day.

By 2023, Porsche and Haru Oni in Chile said they had developed to perfect the process of making gasoline from air (electronic gasoline), but the price is twice as expensive as regular gasoline.