Volvo adds a pollen counter

Most Volvo cars built this second quarter of 2022 have a display which shows outdoor pollen and air quality levels in the center display.

Geely’s Volvo Cars claimed the self developed app makes it the first automaker to provide live data of outdoor pollen levels.

“By regularly testing and evolving the air purification features in our cars, we can increase our competitive advantage by offering a more comfortable and healthier driving experience,” the company said in a statement.

It has also introduced a so called ‘advanced air cleaner’ for 90 and 60 series models, certified asthma & allergy friendly, by Allergy Standards (ASL), removing up to 99.9 percent of grass, tree and weed pollen allergens from incoming air.

ASL is an independent certification programme which helps consumers identify products suitable for people with asthma and allergies.

Maria Bernander, the automaker’s occupant health effects “expert”, claimed: “Studies have shown cleaner air can help boost concentration.”

Cars equipped with the new air purification system also have a sensor, launched in 2020 as a claimed world-first feature, which measures PM 2.5 levels inside the cabin and allows customers to compare those to outside levels.

PM 2.5 levels are a widely used measure for air quality.

Synthetic fibre based filters and ionisation are claimed to remove up to 95% of all such particles from the cabin.

The new air cleaner is also claimed to remove 97% of airborne viruses that try to enter the cabin via the air filter and remove existing viral levels in the vehicle by 95 percent.

Results from recent tests performed by the independent Austrian research and testing institute OFI showed the technology was highly effective against airborne viruses.

Most Volvo cars built this second quarter of 2022 have a display which shows outdoor pollen and air quality levels in the center display.

Geely’s Volvo Cars claimed the self developed app makes it the first automaker to provide live data of outdoor pollen levels.

“By regularly testing and evolving the air purification features in our cars, we can increase our competitive advantage by offering a more comfortable and healthier driving experience,” the company said in a statement.

It has also introduced a so called ‘advanced air cleaner’ for 90 and 60 series models, certified asthma & allergy friendly, by Allergy Standards (ASL), removing up to 99.9 percent of grass, tree and weed pollen allergens from incoming air.

ASL is an independent certification programme which helps consumers identify products suitable for people with asthma and allergies.

Maria Bernander, the automaker’s occupant health effects “expert”, claimed: “Studies have shown cleaner air can help boost concentration.”

Cars equipped with the new air purification system also have a sensor, launched in 2020 as a claimed world-first feature, which measures PM 2.5 levels inside the cabin and allows customers to compare those to outside levels.

PM 2.5 levels are a widely used measure for air quality.

Synthetic fibre based filters and ionisation are claimed to remove up to 95% of all such particles from the cabin.

The new air cleaner is also claimed to remove 97% of airborne viruses that try to enter the cabin via the air filter and remove existing viral levels in the vehicle by 95 percent.

Results from recent tests performed by the independent Austrian research and testing institute OFI showed the technology was highly effective against airborne viruses.