Tesla Shows How Its Cars Purify the Air

Alongside the presentation of the 2021 financial results, Tesla released a new video promoting the HEPA filter that protects (some of) its customers from pollution.

Electric cars are sometimes described as “zero emission” (locally). In practice, they emit a few brake particles, even if some widely use regenerative braking, as well as particles from tires. Nevertheless, they contribute significantly less to air pollution than thermal vehicles, which is often one of the reasons buyers choose them. However, they are not immune to polluted air caused by their “peers”…

An airtight cabin against pollution

… Unless their cars are designed for it. This is the case for some electric cars, since the presentation in 2015 of the Tesla Model X, the first series vehicle equipped with an air purification system.

The Model X since 2015, the Model S since 2016, and the Model Y since 2021 are indeed equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, in addition to a more conventional charcoal filter. According to the Model Y owner’s manual, “the HEPA filter is extremely effective at removing particles, including pollution, allergens, bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and viruses”.

Tesla has therefore released a new promotional video in which the interior of a Model Y remains hermetically sealed from fumes of three lit smoke bombs inside a bubble, unlike that of a BMW X3.

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Purifying outdoor air?

When Tesla introduced the so-called “biological weapons defense” mode, used in this new demonstration on the Model X, it showed that the system even purified the outside air inside the bubble. As it circulates, the surrounding air is filtered. However, it should be noted that, like demisting, this mode is too noisy for constant use unless one is motivated.

The HEPA filtration is standard on all Tesla Model S, X, and Y sold in Europe, but not on the Model 3, due to space constraints.

Read also: Pollution: bicycle, subway, car… which transportation method is most exposed?