Patent ID: 8313121

Claim:
An automotive vehicle comprising: an elongate tank for storing compressed air; a chassis assembled with the tank such that the tank is oriented longitudinally and centrally in the chassis and provides a load-bearing structural member in the chassis, the chassis comprising a first series of side support members connected to the air tank and extending laterally outboard from a first lateral side of the air tank, a second series of side support members connected to the air tank and extending laterally outboard from a second lateral side of the air tank opposite of the first lateral side, a first side panel connected to the first series of side support members at a lateral end thereof, a second side panel connected to the second series of side support members at a lateral end thereof, a firewall mounted to a front end of each of the side panels, and a pair of front support members each connected to the air tank and extending forward and outboard from the tank and connected to the firewall; a plurality of wheels connected to the chassis; and a pneumatic-powered powertrain in fluid communication with the tank for being driven by the compressed air, and operably connected to one of the wheels.