Who Are We?
We are TU/ecomotive, a team of 40 students from Eindhoven University of Technology. We represent a diverse blend of engineering, design, and innovation talents. Our team doesn't focus on traditional motorsport; instead, we build concept vehicles that respond to real-world mobility challenges. Our mission is to show that the future of sustainable mobility goes beyond just swapping an engine for a battery.
You might know us from projects like ARIA (the "Right to Repair" car) or ZEM (the CO2-capturing car). This year, we’re back with EM11, a concept vehicle designed to tackle a "silent crisis" that even the best electric vehicles (EVs) haven't solved: Non-Exhaust Emissions (NEE).
The Challenge: The "EV Paradox"
While the world shifts to electric to cut CO2, a secondary crisis has risen: particles from tire wear, brake wear, and road surface abrasion.
This is what we call the EV Paradox:
- The Weight Penalty: Batteries make modern EVs 20% to 40% heavier than gasoline cars.
- The Emissions Shift: Because they are heavier, EVs increase tire particulate shedding; often exceeding regulated tailpipe emissions by a factor of over 1,000 by mass.
- The Result: These particles contribute to 8.1 million annual deaths globally and account for 78% of ocean microplastics.
Our Innovation: The T.R.A.C.E. System
To solve this, we are developing T.R.A.C.E. (Tire and Road Abrasion Capture by Electrostatics). While traditional mechanical filters create "parasitic drag" that reduces range, we chose Electrostatic Precipitation.
- How it works: We ionise fine particles using high voltage and attract them to grounded collection plates within the wheel arch.
- Passive & Active Modes: The system operates while driving and continues to filter the air while parked to remediate "street canyons"; urban zones where pollution is trapped at ground level.
Engineering "Lightweight-First"
We didn't just add a filter; we redesigned the car's core. By using an ultra-lightweight chassis made of composite panels, we significantly reduce the vehicle's mass. This "Lightweight-First" philosophy isn't just for speed; it’s an environmental necessity to lower the mechanical causes of tire and road wear at the source.
The Impact of RS Student Funding
Building a high-voltage electrostatic system and a custom composite chassis requires precision. The RS Student Fund was instrumental in helping us source the essential electronic components and tools needed to bring T.R.A.C.E. to life. By providing the resources to experiment with different high-voltage power management setups, RS allowed us to turn a theoretical solution into a tangible, working vehicle.
Our Ultimate Mission
We measure success not just in competition results, but in the knowledge gained and the real-world impact of our work. Our goal is to influence policy, like the upcoming Euro 7 regulations, and prove that a vehicle can be a net purifier of the environment.
Comments