The beauty of systems like this is that while electricity generation can be decentralized (local solar/wind/etc), fossil fuel powered transportation cannot.

We have two power problems here - power generation, and making that power mobile. Although fossil fuels address both at once (they generate enormous power and are very portable), decoupling the two through some sort of potential energy storage system such as compressed air is a great step towards reducing our dependence on them.

Additionally, by removing the intermediate step of going from wind power to electricity back to air power, these devices could be even more efficient.

It's a bit oversimplified, but imagine a windmill on the...

The beauty of systems like this is that while electricity generation can be decentralized (local solar/wind/etc), fossil fuel powered transportation cannot.

We have two power problems here - power generation, and making that power mobile. Although fossil fuels address both at once (they generate enormous power and are very portable), decoupling the two through some sort of potential energy storage system such as compressed air is a great step towards reducing our dependence on them.

Additionally, by removing the intermediate step of going from wind power to electricity back to air power, these devices could be even more efficient.

It's a bit oversimplified, but imagine a windmill on the roof of your house that turned a shaft that directly drove mechanical devices like a washing machine, air compressor for your Aircar, etc. Without the 40%+ loss of energy converting to electricity and then the loss during battery storage, not to mention the weight and complexity of transporting batteries, powering your transportation device with truly local power is possible.