AUTONEWS

Eindhoven Technical University team creates prototype car that absorbs carbon dioxide from exhaust

A team from the Technical University of Eindhoven (Netherlands) has built a prototype electric passenger vehicle that not only does not cause significant environmental damage, but also captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere directly during the journey. The creators expect the car to absorb more gas than was released during its life cycle.

The team at Zem (EM-07) created the monocoque and body panels using additive manufacturing techniques to reduce material waste during construction and release “as little carbon dioxide as possible” using recycled plastic, leftovers of which can be used in other projects.

Recycled plastics are also used in the cabin, along with so-called sustainable materials. “pineapple skin” – an alternative to real leather, produced from the cellulose fibers of pineapple leaves. The windows are made of polycarbonate instead of glass, which the team says is less harmful to the environment. Modular infotainment system, modular electronics and modular lighting can be extracted and used in other products as needed.

The Zem electric car does not emit carbon dioxide while driving. It is known that nine traction batteries with a capacity of 2.3 kWh are installed in the car, a 22 kW engine is used, as well as an old Audi differential with a relatively high gear ratio to increase torque. It is also known that a regenerative braking system is used, which allows you to “squeeze” a little more energy from the batteries during operation. Solar cells are integrated into various surfaces. It also uses a two-way charging system and “digital mirrors” to reduce air resistance on the road.

The visible part of the cleaning system looks like a standard radiator grille. In fact, air is captured through it to clean it. According to the developers, about 2 kg of carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere every 20,600 km at a speed of about 60 km/h. While a single machine has little or no effect on the atmosphere, with the mass application of the technology, the contribution to the decarbonization of the planet could be quite real.

The Zem filter is full after 320 km of road – these filters can be cleaned using “green” energy, and the captured CO2 will be drained into cylinders at charging stations. It is true that it is not yet known what should be done with carbon dioxide next, but some “green” projects allow it to be used in industry and even in the creation of sustainable fuels and plastics.

So far the project is just a proof of concept, but in the future it is planned to increase the cleaning capacity of the filter. At the end of the life cycle of an electric vehicle, it is planned to use its components as efficiently as possible. In August, the Zem team will embark on a special tour of US universities and manufacturing companies in an effort to get them to take on the challenge of developing similar solutions.

Image source: Eindhoven University of Technology