New Machine Captures Carbon Dioxide from Air and Converts It into Usable Gasoline

The device, about the size of a commercial refrigerator, pulls carbon dioxide from the air and converts it into usable fuel that can be poured straight into a car's tank.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new device developed by New York-based startup Aircela captures carbon dioxide directly from the air and converts it into usable gasoline without the use of fossil fuels. The machine combines direct air capture technology with a process to convert the captured CO2 into gasoline that can be used in standard vehicles. Aircela says the gasoline it produces contains no sulfur, ethanol, or heavy metals, and the company expects to begin manufacturing the machines as early as this fall, targeting residential, commercial, and industrial customers.

Why it matters

Transportation accounts for about 28% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with most of that tied to gasoline vehicles. While electric cars are often promoted as a solution, adoption remains limited, with only about 8% of vehicles on U.S. roads being electric today. Aircela's technology offers a way to reduce emissions from existing gasoline-powered vehicles by providing a carbon-neutral fuel alternative.

The details

Aircela's machine uses a two-step process to capture CO2 from the air and convert it into gasoline. First, it employs direct air capture technology to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Then, it uses water and renewable electricity to convert the captured gas into usable fuel. The company says the machine can produce about 1 gallon of gasoline per day from 10 kilograms of captured CO2. While the output is limited compared to a typical vehicle's fuel tank, Aircela believes that smaller, modular machines could spread faster than large industrial plants and serve a variety of customers, including homeowners, businesses, and fuel stations.

  • Aircela expects to begin manufacturing the machines as early as this fall (2026).

The players

Aircela

A New York-based startup developing a machine that captures carbon dioxide from the air and converts it into usable gasoline.

Eric Dahlgren

The co-founder and CEO of Aircela.

Karl Dums

The former senior project lead of eFuels at Porsche AG, who was initially skeptical of Aircela's technology but is now convinced it marks the beginning of an important journey.

Morten Bo Christiansen

The senior vice president and head of energy transition at A.P. Moller Maersk, which has invested in Aircela.

Erik Bottcher

A New York City Councilmember who attended the rooftop demonstration of Aircela's machine.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't build a prototype. We built a working machine. We want people to walk away knowing this isn't too good to be true, it actually works.”

— Eric Dahlgren, Co-founder and CEO, Aircela (thebrighterside.news)

“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. 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 (thebrighterside.news)

“We invested in Aircela because of their innovative approach to production of low-emission fuels based on direct air capture. 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 and Head of Energy Transition, A.P. Moller Maersk (thebrighterside.news)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Aircela's technology offers a promising solution to reduce emissions from existing gasoline-powered vehicles by providing a carbon-neutral fuel alternative. While the current output is limited, the company's modular approach and focus on affordability could help drive wider adoption and make a meaningful impact on transportation emissions.