Volvo Air Filter Targets Tiny Particulates

About 90% of cities worldwide don’t meet the World Health Organization’s recommended air quality levels. That’s disturbing.

But you don’t have to worry about the problem inside your car…as long as you’re riding in a new-model Volvo…in Canada.

Primo Air, Canadian Style

In what’s billed as an industry-first, Volvo is launching a new filtration system that promises to block 95% of harmful PM2.5 particulates (2.5 micrometers and smaller) from entering a vehicle. The so-called Advanced Air Cleaner uses a synthetic fiber-based filter and ionization to get the job done.

Volvo Advanced Air Cleaner system (Image: Volvo)

If sensors detect that such pollutants already are inside the vehicle, the particles can be pumped out during or even ahead of a trip (if the owner activates the system remotely). Drivers can check PM2.5 levels at any time via a smartphone app.

For some reason Volvo is introducing the technology in Canada, which typically isn’t associated with bad air, on select 2021-model vehicles, including the XC90 crossover and all 60 series models.

The Nose Knows

In addition to the new filtration system, Volvo is working on several other ways to improve in-vehicle air quality.

This includes strict supplier requirements related to the generation and emission of odors from parts and materials used inside the cabin.

Volvo also is developing and implementing allergy standards for its interiors, and it is partnering with universities on similar initiatives.

The carmaker has its own special group of technicians, known as the “the noses,” who test the interior and individual components for odor emissions. The company notes that the human nose is much more sensitive than any analytical instrument.