Audi Urban Purifier - the fine dust filter for EVs

14 October 2022, 02:09:00

In a pilot project, Audi is working with supplier MANN+HUMMEL to develop a particulate filter for electric cars that collects particulate matter from the surrounding area. Both while driving and charging, it is to already help improve air quality in cities during the first pilot phase. The innovative technology is demonstrated at the GREENTECH FESTIVAL that's currently held in London.

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.

News related to Audi or e-tron

The Volkswagen Group successfully continued its transition to electric mobility in the first quarter of 2023. By the end of March, deliveries of all-electric vehicles (BEVs) have risen by 42% compared to the prior-year period, which was hit harder by supply chain issues. A total of 141,000 BEVs were handed over to customers, up from 99,200 in the first quarter of 2022. BEVs made up 6.9% of total deliveries in this...

21 April 2023

Audi of America reported 37% of YoY BEV sales during the first quarter of 2023. Daniel Weissland, President of Audi of America, said: "We drove out best-ever Q1 BEV sales and starting in 2026, all new models launched will be electric." Worldwide, Audi records around a 44% increase in deliveries of fully electric cars (118,196 vehicles). With the launch of Premium Platform Electric (PPE), Audi is emphasizing its...

4 April 2023

The new 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron has been refined with increased driving range, higher power and faster charging capabilities, and improved driving dynamics compared to the prior model. The latest iteration of Audi's flagship electric SUV – the Q8 e-tron – delivers quicker acceleration with sprints to 60 mph in as little as 5.3 seconds for the Q8 Sportback e-tron with ultra package, as well as efficiency gains through...

31 March 2023

The close-to-production Audi Q6 e-tron is just the beginning of the largest model offensive in the history of the brand with the four rings. Audi will introduce more than 20 new models by 2025 – more than ten of which will be electric. The future Q6 e-tron model series marks the inauguration of e-mobility at the Ingolstadt headquarters. An in-house battery assembly facility underpins Audi’s commitment to electric...

20 March 2023

Audi is continuing to systematically advance the Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron. Audi is updating all vehicles from the start of series production up to and including the 2022 model year with software version 3.2. This new software comes now as standard in series production for the current 2023 model year. Foremost among the new functions with high everyday utility is the option of performing future software...

14 March 2023

Following on from the Audi skysphere roadster in 2021, and both the Audi grandsphere sedan, and the Audi urbansphere space concept in April 2022, a four-door crossover coupé with an astonishingly versatile body design is now making its debut. By combining opposites in perfect synthesis, the Audi activesphere proves to be a versatile crosser of boundaries, with a drive system and suspension which make it equally...

27 January 2023

Audi will present the next and final representative of its family of concept vehicles: the Audi activesphere concept. In this way, the brand with the four rings is illustrating its vision for the progressive luxury of the mobility of the future, as well as providing another glimpse of tomorrow’s Audi Design. The Audi activesphere concept will offer maximum flexibility for active lifestyles – both on-road and...

23 January 2023

The Global Battery Alliance (GBA), the world's largest multi-stakeholder organization to establish a sustainable battery value chain by 2030, today launched the proof of concept for its Battery Passport at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos. The Battery Passport is key to facilitating the rapid scaling of sustainable, circular, and responsible battery value chains to meet the targets of the Paris...

18 January 2023

In 2022, Audi was once again able to significantly increase deliveries of all-electric cars: with an increase of around 44%, the brand systematically continued its electrification strategy, thereby maintaining its course in a year characterized by global crises. In total, Audi sold over 1.61 million vehicles last year, which was close to the previous year’s level despite prolonged supply bottlenecks and major...

11 January 2023

Audi is about to introduce the next member of a family of four concept cars: the Audi activesphere concept. The electric crossover coupe will celebrate its world premiere during the "Celebration of Progress" on January 26, 2023. The Audi activesphere concept provides ultimate freedom and is the perfect companion for ambitious outdoor adventures. Whether it's water sports, skiing, golfing or challenging mountain...

16 December 2022

Audi has presented the new Audi Q8 e-tron lineup with improved range, efficiency and design. The lineup includes the following models: Audi Q8 50 e-tron - dual-motor, 250 kW, 665 Nm, 491 km, 89 kWh net / 95 kWh gross, 150 kW DC charging Audi Q8 Sportback 50 e-tron - dual-motor, 250 kW, 665 Nm, 505 km, 89 kWh net / 95 kWh gross, 150 kW DC charging Audi Q8 55 e-tron - dual-motor, 300 kW, 664 Nm, 582 km, 106 kWh net /...

9 November 2022

The Audi Group continues to successfully steer its brands through a challenging market environment. In the first three quarters of 2022, the brand group increased its revenue year-on-year by 10.4% to €44.6 billion. Its operating profit reached €6.2 billion, significantly exceeding the previous year's level, while the operative margin also improved to 14.0%. A good price position and a strong performance from...

28 October 2022

Volkswagen Group reports a 25% increase in the deliveries of all-electric vehicles in the first nine months year-on-year. Despite ongoing supply constraints, 366,400 BEVs have been handed over to customers until the end of September, up from 293,000 in the prior-year period. The BEV share of total deliveries climbed to 6% in that timeframe, up from 4.2% in the same period of 2021. China remains the biggest driver...

14 October 2022

Audi activesphere concept – this is the name of the fourth model in the family of concept cars that Audi has been introducing since August 2021. Not only do they all have electric drives, but they’re also designed to be capable of automated driving. This technical layout gives rise to entirely new designs, especially of the interiors and the offerings for those on board to use their time productively or just relax...

22 August 2022