You may have left behind ultraviolet light sanitizers along with other bad memories of the coronavirus pandemic, but not Hyundai and Kia. Both automakers have developed hardware that can clean the interior of an entire car – along with the people inside.
The concept is called Plasma Care UVC, and in a press release Hyundai and Kia claim it is the first of its kind. It uses far-ultraviolet C (far UVC) light in the 200–230 nanometer wavelength range. Automakers claim that specific wavelength provides enough energy to kill bacteria and viruses, but not enough to penetrate beyond the protective outer keratin layer of human skin, making it safe for use in occupied vehicles. This is at the lower range of wavelengths used by conventional UV sterilizers, but less powerful than UV emitters used to treat skin diseases or for industrial applications.
Far-UVC technology has already been proposed for use in hospitals and schools, but some modifications were needed to make it work in cars, the release said. According to vehicle manufacturers, more confined space, proximity of occupants to UV emitters, and an abundance of electronics in the vehicle interior all present problems. The components were miniaturized to fit, and put through the same durability testing as anything that goes into a car’s interior. A plasma lamp was used because it is better able to reach the 200–230 nanometer wavelength than the commonly used LEDs, and a filter was applied to provide an additional level of protection.
Engineers tested the hardware in a roughly 282-cubic-foot chamber designed to simulate the interior of a car, claiming a 96.8% reduction in airborne viruses within 30 minutes. In a more traditional laboratory environment, the same hardware eliminated 99.9% of pneumonia-causing bacteria after 30 seconds, and completely eliminated the bacteria after 60 seconds. In a third test using a Kia PV5, UV treatment killed 99.9% of E.coli in the electric van’s cabin after 40 minutes of use.
However, this UV sanitizer is not ready for use in production vehicles. Hyundai and Kia plan to conduct more testing, and note that like any other new automotive technology, future use in production cars is dependent on regulatory approval. Both automakers have a habit of publicizing research projects that never achieve commercialization, so don’t count on seeing UV lights in the new Hyundai Elantra.
Is this even something to expect? In addition to cleaning surfaces, Hyundai and Kia claim the UV bath can help reduce odors. This combination would be great for ride-share vehicles. But while it may not turn you into the Hulk or mess up your car’s electronics, what isn’t mentioned is the potential long-term effects it has on cleaning interior surfaces. If you want your interior to stay nice, it’s generally best to keep UV light away rather than shining it everywhere.
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