In the race for climate neutral solutions to mobility, a group of Dutch students from the Eindhoven University of Technology (EUT) invented a zero-emissions car that captures more carbon than it emits.
1. Zero emission mobility
Called ZEM, for zero emission mobility, the two-seater is powered by a Cleantron lithium-ion battery pack, and most of its parts are 3D-printed from recycled plastics.
This car was made with the goal to minimise the CO2 emitted during the manufacturing phase, the life phase and the end-of-life phase.
Jens Lahaije, a member of the EUT team
Carbon neutral mobility implies the vehicle has zero carbon emissions during its production, use and end-of-life phase.
— TU/ecomotive (@TUecomotive) April 28, 2022
Our projects’ desired end result: A car with the world’s smallest carbon foot(tire)print!🚗
Stay green and see you later🍃 pic.twitter.com/ERrNESUB8u
Battery electric vehicles emit virtually no CO2 during operation compared with combustion-engine vehicles, but battery cell production can create so much pollution that it can take EVs tens of thousands of miles to achieve “carbon parity” with comparable fossil-fueled models.
“Our end goal is to create a more sustainable future,” said Lahaije, noting that the team is working on minimizing CO2 emitted during the car’s full lifespan, from manufacturing to recycling.
2. Offsetting pollution
In order to offset pollution, the Dutch students used two unique filters in the ZEM that can capture up to 2 kilograms of CO2 over 30,000km of driving, according to estimates from the Eindhoven team. Despite the special C02 filter making the car unique in the world, the students claim to have been greatly inspired by the Dutch Lightyear One car, which was also developed at the Eindhoven University of Technology.
Capturing CO2 is a prerequisite for compensating for emissions during production and recycling.
Louise de Laat, team manager
Now, their major goal is to develop filters that can be emptied at charging stations when the car stops to recharge. “It’s really still a proof-of-concept, but we can already see that we will be able to increase the capacity of the filter in the coming years,” said the team manager Louise de Laat.
Proud and excited with the achievement, the Dutch students went on a promotional tour to the United States to showcase their vehicle to universities and companies from the East Coast to Silicon Valley.
