Audi Urban Purifier - the fine dust filter for EVs
14 October 2022, 02:09:00

Regardless of a vehicle's driving system, 85% of fine dust in road traffic is caused by brake, tire, or road abrasion. The smallest dust particles, hardly noticeable to the naked eye, are only a few micrometers in size with a diameter of only 10 micrometers and can therefore be easily inhaled. In the past year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended significantly lower particulate matter limits than in the past but according to experts, it would be impossible to comply with these new values in many urban areas in Germany.
Together with the supplier MANN+HUMMEL, Audi has now developed a filter for the front end that can collect particulate matter from its environment; it functions similarly to stationary systems that are already in use in some cities. The mobile version ensures not only are the car’s own particulate emissions absorbed, such as those of an Audi e-tron, but those of other vehicles can be absorbed as well – right where they are generated.
The filter is integrated into the vehicle’s existing airflow in front of the radiator so that only a few modifications to the car are necessary, keeping costs down. The filter element is controlled via the switchable cooling air inlet and its mechanical function is comparable to that of a vacuum cleaner. By a similar principle, the fine dust particles remain stuck in the filter and the air can still flow through it.
Thus far, the filter has been used in Audi e-tron test vehicles. While driving, it passively filters by means of the movement of the vehicle; air flows through the filter system, which captures even the smallest particles. Another possibility is filtering during stationary charging. A fan that is already built into every electric vehicle conveys ambient air through the radiator – the system takes advantage of this process and can thus actively filter the air flowing through it, using the fine dust filter, ensuring the smallest particles are absorbed, even when stationary. This is ideal for use in urban environments, where the particulate matter pollution is much higher than in rural areas.
The assessments conducted on the test vehicles were not only used to analyze the effectiveness of the filters, but also to determine whether the technology affects overall vehicle usage. After over 50,000 kilometers (31,068 mi.) of endurance tests on the Audi e-tron, the answer was clear: the filters have no negative effect on the operation of the electric vehicle, including on hot summer days or during fast charging.
The system is so effective that, depending on the usage scenario, the Audi e-tron particles are completely filtered out in a highly polluted city such as Stuttgart. In even more polluted cities such as Beijing, fine dust emissions can be actively and passively absorbed by up to three vehicles in a typical customer scenario. To make the system even more efficient, Audi is working with MANN+HUMMEL to connect with existing sensors such as weather stations, plus they plan to develop a display logic in the vehicle, allowing passengers to determine when the system is active and how much has already been filtered.
The filter is easy to maintain and must only be replaced when the regular service interval has been reached. A lifecycle analysis of the entire filter system has shown that it will account for 14.9 kilograms (32.8 lbs.) of CO2 equivalents. Additionally, the filter itself consists of 15% recycled material and the entire system is 60% recycled.
More information, illustrations, and exhibits on the Audi Urban Purifier will be available at the GREENTECH FESTIVAL in London, October 13th and 14th.
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EV Specifications
Complete specifications of EVs, grouped according to their brand and year
Featured
Specifications of some of the most interesting and anticipated EVs.

2023 Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 192.9 in / 4900 mm
Height: 63.5 in / 1614 mm
Curb weight: 5696.74 lb / 2584 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 111 kWh, Voltage: 400 V

2022 Audi e-tron S Sportback quattro
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 193.0 in / 4902 mm
Height: 63.6 in / 1615 mm
Curb weight: 5941.46 lb / 2695 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 95 kWh, Voltage: 396 V

2022 Audi e-tron S quattro
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 193.0 in / 4902 mm
Height: 64.1 in / 1629 mm
Curb weight: 5941.46 lb / 2695 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 95 kWh, Voltage: 396 V

2021 Audi e-tron S Sportback quattro
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 193.0 in / 4902 mm
Height: 63.6 in / 1615 mm
Curb weight: 5941.46 lb / 2695 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 95 kWh, Voltage: 396 V

2021 Audi e-tron S quattro
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 193.0 in / 4902 mm
Height: 64.1 in / 1629 mm
Curb weight: 5941.46 lb / 2695 kg
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 95 kWh, Voltage: 396 V

2022 Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 50 quattro Vorsprung
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 180.6 in / 4588 mm
Height: 63.5 in / 1614 mm
Curb weight: 4717.89 lb / 2140 kg
Electric motor #1: 150 kW, 310 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 70 kW, 150 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 82 kWh, Voltage: 400 V

2022 Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 50 quattro Edition 1
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 180.6 in / 4588 mm
Height: 63.5 in / 1614 mm
Curb weight: 4717.89 lb / 2140 kg
Electric motor #1: 150 kW, 310 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 70 kW, 150 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 82 kWh, Voltage: 400 V

2022 Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron 50 quattro S Line
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 180.6 in / 4588 mm
Height: 63.5 in / 1614 mm
Curb weight: 4717.89 lb / 2140 kg
Electric motor #1: 150 kW, 310 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 70 kW, 150 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 82 kWh, Voltage: 400 V

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning PLATINUM Extended Range (710A)
Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 232.7 in / 5911 mm
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 131 kWh

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning LARIAT Extended Range (511A)
Doors: 4, Seats: 5
Length: 232.7 in / 5911 mm
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 131 kWh

2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 205.6 in / 5223 mm
Height: 59.8 in / 1520 mm
Curb weight: 5853.27 lb / 2655 kg
Electric motor #1: 245 kW @ 4500 - 13500 rpm, 565 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 239 kW, 290 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 107.8 kWh, Voltage: 500 V

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 205.4 in / 5216 mm
Height: 59.5 in / 1512 mm
Curb weight: 5698.95 lb / 2585 kg
Electric motor #1: 245 kW @ 4500 - 13500 rpm, 565 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 140 kW, 290 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 107.8 kWh, Voltage: 500 V

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 205.4 in / 5216 mm
Height: 59.5 in / 1512 mm
Curb weight: 5467.46 lb / 2480 kg
Electric motor: 245 kW @ 4500 - 13500 rpm, 568 Nm, Location: Rear
Battery: 107.8 kWh, Voltage: 500 V

2022 Genesis GV60 Performance AWD
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 177.8 in / 4515 mm
Width: 74.4 in / 1890 mm
Height: 62.2 in / 1580 mm
Curb weight: 4761.98 lb / 2160 kg
Electric motor #1: 160 kW, 350 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 160 kW, 350 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 77.4 kWh, Voltage: 800 V

2022 KIA EV6 Extended Range 4WD GT
Length: 184.8 in / 4695 mm
Height: 61.0 in / 1550 mm
Location: Rear
Location: Front
Battery: 77.4 kWh, Voltage: 697 V

2022 KIA EV6 Extended Range 4WD GT-Line S
Length: 184.8 in / 4695 mm
Height: 61.0 in / 1550 mm
Curb weight: 4530.5 lb / 2055 kg
Electric motor #1: 165 kW @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, 350 Nm @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 74 kW @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, 255 Nm @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, Location: Front
Battery: 77.4 kWh, Voltage: 697 V

2022 KIA EV6 Extended Range 4WD GT-Line
Length: 184.8 in / 4695 mm
Height: 61.0 in / 1550 mm
Curb weight: 4497.43 lb / 2040 kg
Electric motor #1: 165 kW @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, 350 Nm @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 74 kW @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, 255 Nm @ 4500 - 7700 rpm, Location: Front
Battery: 77.4 kWh, Voltage: 697 V

2022 BMW iX xDrive50
Doors: 5, Seats: 5
Length: 195.0 in / 4953 mm
Width: 77.4 in / 1967 mm
Height: 66.8 in / 1696 mm
Curb weight: 5379.28 lb / 2440 kg
Electric motor #1: 250 kW, 400 Nm, Location: Rear
Electric motor #2: 200 kW, 352 Nm, Location: Front
Battery: 111.5 kWh, Voltage: 330.3 V