Tesla Model 3 Cleans Very Polluted Air From Wildfires — #CleanTechnica Interview
If you were in the Bay Area or near it during the most severe parts of the Camp Fire, you know the air pollution was very hazardous for a while. When the wildfire smoke was dense, a Tesla Model 3 owner conducted a test of his car’s air filtration system and found it did a good job of removing harmful particulate matter. He used a handheld air pollution monitor made by EG Air for his evaluation, which was conducted in San Jose, California. For this interview, he did not want his name used in order to maintain his privacy, but on YouTube his handle is sensohax.
Image Credit: Sensohax
In the video, you can see the ug/m3 figure is over 130. The State of California has established a standard that safe levels are under 20 ug/m3. On the California Air Resources Board website, it was explained that, “PM 2.5 and PM10 particles easily penetrate into the airways and lungs where they may produce harmful health effects such as the worsening of heart and lung diseases. The risk of these health effects is greatest in the elderly and the very young. Exposure to elevated concentrations of PM is also associated with increased hospital and doctor visits and increased numbers of premature deaths.”
Why did you decide to test the filtration capacity of your Tesla?
I saw the Model X test someone else did, was curious as to how the Model 3 and my Toyota would do, and was curious about the air in the house given all the wildfire smoke we’re experiencing.
Were you pleased with the results?
Sure, it did alright. (I believe most modern cars will filter particulates, though — see my Toyota test.)
Why did you decide to make a video and upload it to YouTube?
I thought others would be curious to see the results.
Why did you choose the Model 3 over the other Teslas, or a Chevy Bolt or a hybrid?
Bolt looks pretty good, but Model 3 has more range, all wheel drive, supercharger network, and more room.
When you were considering what car to buy, did the car’s air filtration play a role?
No.
Does the Model 3’s ability to clean the cabin air make you even happier you got a Model 3?
Uh, well, sure … but I think most any car will filter the air in your cabin. See my comparison to my Toyota RAV4 EV in the thread. The Model 3 did perform a little better than the Toyota.
This second video is not part of the filter test, but shows the actual cabin filters.
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