Student team TU/ecomotive at the Eindhoven University of Technology has developed a sustainable electric passenger car that captures more carbon dioxide (CO₂) than it emits while driving. Called ZEM, for zero emission mobility, the two-seater purifies the air through a special filter (过滤器). By storing the captured CO₂ and then dealing with it, ZEM can contribute to reducing global warming. The students will continue to improve the vehicle with the goal of making it carbon-neutral (碳中和) for its entire life cycle.
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 CO₂ as an average tree. That may not seem like much, but the overall payoff is significant if you were to utilize it in every passenger car. After all, there are more than a billion passenger cars driving around the world, which could capture net CO₂ instead of emitting it.
A life cycle analysis with SimaPro software can be used to determine the extent to which the life cycle of the vehicle — from construction to use and afterlife — is carbon-neutral. Several innovations contribute to this goal. Consider the 3D printing techniques used by the students. The body panels are made through 3D printing, resulting in almost no remaining waste. In addition, the student team prints plastics that can be recycled for other projects.
The electric and sustainable four-wheel drive has a sporty look. With the 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, says: "We call on the industry to pick up the challenge, and of course we are happy to think along with them. We haven't finished developing yet, but we believe it will eventually hit the road. We warmly invite car makers to come and take a look."
