TU/e students develop e-car capturing CO2

09 / 08 / 2022

By Marwa Nassar - -

TU Eindhoven (TU/e) students has develop an electric car capturing CO2 more than it emit. The car can capture 2 kilograms of CO2 through a special filter at 20,000 travel miles per year. This means that ten cars can store as much carbon dioxide as an average tree.

The car is a prototype, called Zem, that purifies the air through a special filter.

By storing the captured CO2 and then disposing it, Zem can contribute to reducing global warming. The students will continue to improve the vehicle in the coming years, with the goal of making it carbon-neutral for its entire life cycle and eventually hitting the road.

The transport sector is a major polluter, producing about a quarter of the EU’s total carbon emissions a few years ago. Passenger cars are responsible for more than 60 percent of these emissions. To reduce these emissions, 35 students designed, developed and built a car that produces fewer or no emissions both during the production process and on the road. In addition, the team strives for optimal reusability of materials in the future.

The electric and sustainable four-wheeler has a sporty look. With good reason, say the students, because a sporting challenge awaits the automotive industry. After all, road transport must become much more sustainable.

Nikki Okkels, external relations manager at TU/ecomotive: “We want to tickle the industry by showing what is already possible, and working together. If 35 students can design, develop and build an almost carbon-neutral car in a year, then there are also opportunities and possibilities for the industry.”

Okkels added “We call on the industry to pick up the challenge, and of course we are happy to think along with them. We’re not finished developing yet either, and we want to take some big steps in the coming years. We warmly invite car manufacturers to come and take a look.”