On average, a car in the Netherlands is scrapped after about 20 years. This was calculated by the sector organisation Auto Recycling Nederland. By looking at the structure of a car differently, student team TU/ecomotive from TU Eindhoven designed a car concept to extend the life span of cars. This makes it possible to reduce totalCO2 emissions during the production process by a third.
Most of the materials in a car are not (far) from being written off after 20 years. Yet the average car is heading for the scrapyard by then. That is why students have designed car concept Eterna. In Eterna, certain parts can stay in the vehicle, instead of being recycled before the end of their life cycle. This utilises their optimal lifespan. As a result, significant cuts can be made in the overall production process.
Twenty tonnes ofCO2
TU/ecomotive calculated in their sustainability report that Eterna saves twenty tonnes ofCO2 in total production costs compared to the average car. This is equivalent to what 800 trees extractCO2 from the atmosphere every year. In total, this represents a reduction in CO2 emissions during the production process of about one third.
Innovative car concept in detail
How does it work? Car concept Eterna consists of a bottom side for long-term use and a replaceable top side. The bottom includes components with a long service life. Think of the ladder frame, batteries and motor. In addition, the replaceable top includes materials with a shorter lifespan, such as interior fabrics and safety features like digital side mirrors and cruise control.
Make people think differently
TU/ecomotive wants to use this concept to inspire the automotive industry and make it think differently about the development and use of cars. "The earth does not offer unlimited resources, so more efficient use of materials is the solution," clarifies Stijn Plekkenpol, team manager of TU/ecomotive.
"If we start to see cars no longer as one entity, but as two separate life cycles, that is actually a system change," Plekkenpol summarises the concept.
Subscription model
"For consumers, however, little will change. TU/ecomotive envisions a system where cars are managed centrally where consumers can lease a vehicle. The leasing company ensures that the consumer has an 'up-to-date' vehicle; every 5 years, small updates are made in the top. Every 20 years, the entire top end is replaced, while the bottom end remains largely the same. A subscription model, in other words."
Germany, Belgium and Italy
The team will showcase their concept in several countries, including Germany, Belgium and Italy. They will talk to the car industry, visit universities and attend numerous events. The starting point is Nemo, the science museum in Amsterdam, where the car will be on public display. They will also visit Ford and Ferrari, among others, and the IAA Mobility Exhibition in Munich, one of the largest mobility events in the world.
ZEM
TU/ecomotive has been developing sustainable car concepts for years. Last year, the students made the news with ZEM, their sustainable electric passenger car that captures more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it emits via a special filter.
Source: TU/e
Opening photo: The underside contains long-life components (photo: Astrolads)
Photo in text: The modular car Eterna: Various parts can be exchanged easily (photo: Astrolads)
