University Students Created a Zero Emission Passenger EV that Can Also Clean Air

John Lopez, Tech Times 02 February 2023, 04:02 pm

A team of students from the Eindhoven University of Technology called TU/ecomotive has pushed the boundaries of innovation with their latest creation: the Zem Electric Vehicle (EV).

The advancement of electric vehicles is one of the best things that has happened to the cause of reducing carbon emissions. This latest innovation, however, not only reduces emissions but also cleans the air.

Named after its mission of "Zero Emission Mobility," the Zem is a passenger EV designed to pave the way toward a future of carbon-neutral vehicles while reducing CO2 emissions, TNW reports.

The Zem, according to one of the young innovators, was inspired by the European Union's Green Deal and was created in less than a year.

Cleans Air While Driving

The car employs cutting-edge direct air capture technology, which traps carbon dioxide in a filter while driving, allowing only clean air to exit. Then, the clogged filter can be cleaned, and the CO2 can be used again in many different industries.

The Zem also exemplifies sustainability by incorporating bi-directional charging technology and solar panels to store energy, as well as a structure comprised of 3D-printed circular plastics.

Seat upholstery is made from pineapple residue, roof upholstery and floor mats are made from ocean plastics, and the car's coating and tires are made from recycled black carbon from worn tires.

"You can use that same material again to make the same event over three times before it loses its specifications," Louise de Laat, Industrial Design student and team manager of the Zem project told TNW.

A Promising Innovation

One of the challenges faced by the student team was measuring Zem's overall emissions through the Life Cycle Assessment method.

But the team thinks this is good because it has shown potential partners how the vehicle affects the environment.

The Zem is a brilliant example of how technology and innovation can combine to create a more environmentally friendly future. Its direct air capture technology raises the bar in the fight against air pollution, and its use of circular and recycled materials demonstrates the potential of sustainable manufacturing.

The world is in desperate need of change, and initiatives like the Zem show that even on a small scale, it is possible to make a difference. The Zem could be the start of a more environmentally conscious automotive industry.

The Green Deal

The transport system is critical to European businesses and global supply chains, contributing to around 5% of the EU GDP and employing more than 10 million people in Europe.

Transport emissions account for approximately 25% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions, and these emissions have increased in recent years.

The Green Deal's target of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 necessitates bold transportation changes. To achieve a 90% reduction in transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a solid route must be established.

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