Chinese carmaker Geely
recently unveiled its new Icon SUV. Its headline feature is an ability
to ‘isolate and eliminate harmful elements in the cabin air, including
bacteria and viruses.’
Geely’s claim centers on the Icon’s air purification system, which is certified to CN95 – or 95 percent filtration of particles down to 0.3 microns. A series of anti-bacterial filters then ‘kill the escaped virus’, says Geely.
Other Chinese marques have followed suit, including SAIC, which owns the MG brand. Its solution includes an ultraviolet lamp to sterilize passing air. But are such claims merely a marketing ploy?
Other Chinese marques have followed suit, including SAIC, which owns the MG brand. Its solution includes an ultraviolet lamp to sterilize passing air. But are such claims merely a marketing ploy?
Sealing a car ‘almost impossible’
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| © Provided by Motoring Research Geely Icon |
However, “It is almost impossible to have a sufficiently sealed cabin or room,” he adds.
Electric carmaker Tesla has also made bold claims about cabin filtration. Its Model X and Model S have a ‘Bioweapon Defense Mode’ that is claimed to remove ‘at least 99.97 per cent of fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants, as well as bacteria, viruses, pollen and mold spores’.
Putting Tesla to the test
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| © Provided by Motoring Research Tesla Model X |
Speaking to Gizmodo, Michael Buchmeier, deputy director of the Pacific Southwest Regional Center for Biodefense and Emerging Diseases at the University of California, said: “[Filtration to] 0.3 micrometre won’t hold back viruses. It will hold back most bacteria, but it won’t hold back viruses”.
The good news is that a corona-proof car probably isn’t necessary. “I can’t think of any circumstance where the outdoor COVID-19 concentration is so high that one needs a vehicle filtration system,” explained Bergman.
Time to buy that cheap summer convertible?
