Student Team TU/ecomotive Unveils VENTRA EV Concept Designed to Capture Brake and Tire Dust

Student engineering team TU/ecomotive has unveiled VENTRA, an electric concept car designed to capture fine particulate matter generated by tire and brake wear while driving, as reported by TechXplore (https://techxplore.com/news/2026-09-students-electric-car-captures-particulate.html). The prototype targets non-exhaust vehicle emissions to raise awareness of their health impacts and provide practical design solutions for automotive manufacturers.

Although electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions, they continue to release particulate matter caused by the wear of tires, brakes, and road surfaces. According to TU/ecomotive team manager Tim Spencer, electric cars can worsen tire degradation because their increased weight and high acceleration torque place more force on the road. "No exhaust emissions does not necessarily mean no emissions," Spencer noted.

VENTRA captures particulate matter using an electrostatic system mounted near the wheels, where friction dust originates. Instead of passing air through physical filters, the mechanism applies an electrical charge to airborne particles, drawing them to a grounded collection plate where they adhere.

The collection system can be cleared using a standard vacuum cleaner or water, allowing the collected matter to be recycled. To demonstrate this capability, the student team repurposed collected particulate matter into components for the vehicle's interior. Computer simulations indicate that the system can capture 24 percent of particulate matter at speeds between 50 and 80 kilometers per hour (31 to 50 miles per hour), with the capture rate rising to 42 percent at lower speeds.

To reduce particle generation at the source, the vehicle's chassis is constructed largely from lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic panels, reducing vehicle mass by nearly 100 kilograms (220 pounds). The reduced weight lowers downward pressure on the tires, slowing wear and cutting particulate generation.

Software also plays a role in limiting friction. VENTRA features a "Clean Drive" telemetry system that tracks driving behavior and provides real-time coaching via a dashboard display. The interface advises drivers to accelerate more gradually, brake less aggressively, and avoid unnecessary steering inputs, which helps reduce tire abrasion and extends brake life.

The project highlights a growing public health concern. Ultra-fine non-exhaust particles can penetrate deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, elevating the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, impaired lung development, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer.

The concept arrives ahead of stricter regulatory standards. Beginning in November 2026, the European Union's Euro 7 emissions regulations will introduce mandatory limits on brake and tire wear emissions for the first time. Spencer said the team aims to show what technical solutions are viable and encourage the automotive industry to look beyond exhaust emissions.