A team from the Technical University of Eindhoven (Netherlands) has built a prototype passenger electric vehicle that not only does not cause significant environmental damage, but also captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere directly during the trip. The creators expect that the car will absorb more gas than was released during its life cycle.
Image Source: Eindhoven University of Technology
The Zem team (EM-07) created the monocoque and body panels using additive manufacturing techniques to reduce wastage of materials during construction and release “as little carbon dioxide as possible” using recycled plastic, the leftovers of which can be used in other projects.
Recycled plastics are also used in the cabin, along with sustainable materials such as the so-called. “pineapple skin” – an alternative to real leather, produced from the cellulose fibers of pineapple leaves. Windows are made of polycarbonate instead of glass, which the team claims is less harmful to the environment. The 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 differential from Audi 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 out of the batteries during operation. Solar cells are integrated into a number of surfaces. It also uses a bi-directional 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, regarding 2 kg of carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere every 20,600 km at a speed of regarding 60 km/h. Although a single machine will have little to no effect on the atmosphere, with the mass application of technology, the contribution to the decarbonization of the planet can be quite real.
Image Source: Eindhoven University of Technology
The Zem filter is filled to capacity following 320 km of the road – such filters can be cleaned using “green” energy, and the captured CO2 will merge into cylinders at charging stations. True, it is still unknown what should be done with carbon dioxide next, but some “green” projects allow it to be used in industry and even to create sustainable fuels and plastics.
So far the project is only 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 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 lead them to take on the challenge of developing similar solutions.
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