First U.S. Machine to Turn Air into Gasoline Debuts in NYC

NEW YORK, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a rooftop demonstration in Manhattan’s Garment District, New York–based fuels company Aircela unveiled the first working machine in the U.S. that produces gasoline directly from air. Compact and modular, the unit combines direct air capture and on-site fuel synthesis into a single deployable machine - roughly the size of a refrigerator.

Designed to produce fossil-free gasoline, the machine pulls CO2 directly from the atmosphere and converts it into fuel that’s fully compatible with today’s engines- no modifications required.

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"When I first spoke with Eric, I told him, ‘I wish you all the success in the world, but I can’t believe this is going to work.’ Fortunately, I was wrong. Aircela has earned my full respect, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this historic moment. I’m convinced this marks the beginning of a long and important journey — one whose impact is still vastly underestimated today."
— Karl Dums, Former Senior Project Lead of eFuels, Porsche AG

The machine was successfully demonstrated in front of a live audience, with guests including New York City Councilmember Erik Bottcher, New York State Energy Chairman Richard Kauffman, and several early investors. The event showcased Aircela’s working machine, designed to produce real, usable gasoline—on-site and in real time.

Maersk Growth—the venture arm of shipping company A.P. Moller – Maersk—sees Aircela’s technology as a meaningful step toward global decarbonization efforts.

"We invested in Aircela because of their innovative approach to production of low-emission fuels based on direct air capture. With the first prototype working, we have seen an important step towards that goal. We now look forward to seeing Aircela scale and reduce cost, paving the way for what will hopefully become the transition of Maersk from investor to customer."
— Morten Bo Christiansen, Senior Vice President, Head of Energy Transition, A.P. Moller Maersk

While large-scale synthetic fuel projects have attracted headlines, Aircela’s approach is radically different: fully modular, instantly deployable, and built for distributed production. It offers a climate-aligned alternative to fossil fuels — without requiring new infrastructure or new vehicles.

Initial deployments of Aircela’s machines are expected to begin later this fall.

About Aircela

Aircela makes modular machines that produce fossil-free, engine-ready gasoline from air, water, and renewable electricity. Designed for flexible deployment and drop-in compatibility, Aircela’s technology offers a practical alternative to fossil fuels—without requiring new vehicles, new infrastructure, or new habits.

The company was founded in 2019 by Mia Dahlgren and Eric Dahlgren, and is backed by Chris Larsen (founder of Ripple Labs), Jeff Ubben (investor and activist board member of ExxonMobil), Maersk Growth, and others.