Hyundai and Kia have introduced Plasma Care UVC technology that disinfects a car's interior even while passengers are inside. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
It uses far-UVC light with a wavelength of 200–230 nm and also helps reduce unpleasant odors.
Safety of the technology
According to the developers, the radiation effectively kills viruses and bacteria but barely penetrates the upper layer of skin and is not dangerous to eyes.
Engineering solutions
For the car, engineers created a compact plasma lamp resistant to vibrations and temperature changes. It also features a special optical filter that controls the radiation range.
Test results
During tests, the number of viruses in the air dropped by 96.8% in 30 minutes, and pneumonia-causing bacteria were destroyed by 99.9% in 30 seconds. In tests on the Kia PV5, the system eliminated 99.9% of E. coli in 40 minutes.
Future plans
For now, Plasma Care UVC remains a research development. Hyundai and Kia will continue to verify its effectiveness and safety according to international standards before considering installing the technology in production vehicles.
Earlier, Kursiv Avto reported that the Hyundai Tucson 2027 nearly caught fire during tests in the Alps.