A unique machine that produces gasoline from... air.

Aircela's machine demonstrated its ability to convert air into gasoline on a New York rooftop, usable directly in a standard engine without further modifications.

In the Garment District of Manhattan, 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 a single system. It runs on renewable electricity and produces gasoline that is fully compatible with existing engines, requiring no further modifications.

Aircela's method differs from traditional fuel synthesis plants. Instead of requiring large, centralized facilities, their solution is designed for decentralized production. The machine collects carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere and transforms it into clean gasoline on-site. This 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 working machine," said Eric Dahlgren, CEO of Aircela. The system is designed to be easily 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 Chris Larsen, the founder of Ripple, and investor Jeff Ubben. The technology is based on previous research by physicist Klaus Lackner, a pioneer in direct air capture.

Lackner also participated in the presentation to explain the scientific basis behind the machine's carbon capture process. Aircela's system builds on that research, with a commercially viable solution ready for practical operation.

Gasoline powers over 90% of the world's vehicles, fueling transportation, supporting industry, and playing an indispensable role in daily life. However, its environmental impact is significant, releasing carbon dioxide that pollutes the air and contributes to climate change. Efforts to replace gasoline with electricity or other fuels often face obstacles related to infrastructure and the cost of upgrading vehicles.

Aircela is based in New York. They believe they've found the breakthrough. Founded in 2019 by Mia and Eric Dahlgren, the company moved to real-world testing in just a few years. Support from early investors helped them quickly transition from development to testing.

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

Previously, in 2014, Air Fuel Synthesis – a small company in Stockton-on-Tees, England – announced they had successfully developed a system for producing 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 plant to produce one ton of gasoline per day.

By 2023, Porsche and Haru Oni in Chile announced they had perfected the process of producing gasoline from air (e-gasoline), although the price would be twice as expensive as regular gasoline.