The filtration specialist MANN+HUMMEL based in Ludwigsburg, Germany, has developed a particulate filter which will help create the world's first emission-neutral vehicle.

Particulates are usually associated with diesel vehicles however the manufacturers of the particulate filter argue that even electric vehicles release particulates into the atmosphere due to tire, brake, and road abrasion and are therefore not free of emissions.

The new fine dust particulate filter from MANN+HUMMEL retains as many dust particles as are produced by tire, brake and road abrasion making the vehicle emission neutral.

The filter modules will initially be fitted to five StreetScooter test vehicles used by Deutsche Post DHL Group in service in five German city centers. The successful conclusion of the test could lead to the series implementation of the particulate filter. It is claimed that the vehicle will be completely neutral in terms of emissions. This means: no carbon dioxide (CO2), no nitrogen oxide (NOx), no noise and no particulates.

The fine dust particulate filter is equipped with an active filter system. Blowers are fitted behind these filters which direct ambient air to the filters. As a result, even when the vehicle is at a standstill it is still able to filter particulates from the ambient air. The installation position of the filter on the underbody at the height of the rear axle is practical for two reasons: it does not use up any valuable loading space; and this is precisely the location where the highest concentration of particulates is found. All particulate filters are equipped with sensors that allow the online monitoring of the efficiency of the systems. Here MANN+HUMMEL records information on the filtration performance, the amount of cleaned air, the concentration of particulates and the weather data. The data is then sent to the Cloud, visualized via a web interface and then evaluated by filtration experts.

Alfred Weber, CEO at MANN+HUMMEL, describes the need for action: "More and more people at our locations ranging from Ludwigsburg to Bangalore and Shanghai are suffering from the consequences of air pollution and who else apart from a filtration expert such as us is going to find a solution?"

Achim Kampker, CEO of StreetScooter, subsidiary of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, praises the further improvement of the ecological balance thanks to these vehicles: “With these new fine dust particle filters from MANN+HUMMEL, we can further improve the environmental performance of our StreetScooters. We are pleased to participate in this field trial and to pioneer what will become a major trend.”

According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), every year roughly 47,000 people in Germany die from the effects of particulates.

Photo:  The vehicle is fitted with a new fine dust particulate filter from MANN+HUMMEL.