While a car that runs on air comes with obvious environmental benefits, including zero emissions from the non-existent tailpipe, the technology seemed unworkable for everyday use.

Yet Indian carmaker Tata Motors apparently hasn't given up.

The company plans to work with Luxembourg-based Motor Development International (MDI) to put a compressed air car on sale this year, according to a new report from the Business Standard (via Indian Autos Blog).

The two companies reportedly aim to put a version of MDI's AirPod on sale in Hawaii before the end of 2015, through franchisee Zero Pollution Motors.

The AirPod is a very small vehicle, although it will reportedly seat three adults and one child.

Top speed is estimated at just under 50 mph, the report says, and its onboard tanks will hold enough compressed air for 124 miles of range.

Refilling the tanks will require special compressed-air stations--creating an infrastructure issue that proponents of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell cars will be quite familiar with by now.