Technology trial to offer feedback on vehicle NOx emissions

The company behind a real-time NOx estimation system, designed to give drivers up-to-the-second data on how their driving habits may impact air pollution, is testing the technology in the UK.

US-based tech firm Tantalum, which describes itself as a ‘connected car technology company’ is testing its Air.Car technology in conjunction with researchers from Imperial College London.

Air.Car will offer real-time estimates on vehicle NOx emissions, according to Tantalum

According to Tantalum, Air.Car will deliver “highly accurate”, real-time NOx (nitrogen oxide) feedback for drivers as they travel, enabling them to reduce the amount of NOx they are putting out by altering behaviour.

The system works by linking with a vehicle’s on board diagnostics to estimate real-time emissions of NOx as well as CO2 emissions, according to Tantalum.

Funding

Backing for the technology has come from Innovate UK’s Connected and Autonomous Vehicle competition in the form of a £1.4 million grant, while Tantalum Corporation also secured over £2.5 million in private investment from equity firm Disruptive Capital.

Among the organisations to take part in the trial is Bristol Waste Company which will be testing the technology on around 40 vehicles in its fleet and the University of Oxford.

Tracey Morgan, Bristol Waste Company’s managing director, said: “We run a large fleet of vehicles across the city of Bristol. Understanding the environmental impact of our operation is a key part of our sustainability plan and our commitment to contributing to a cleaner and greener Bristol.

“The data from this trial, which will include at least 40 of our heavy vehicles, will enable us to make more informed decisions around which of them we use, at what times and on which routes to help us manage that impact.”

Air quality

Adam Bows, University of Oxford’s sustainable transport manager, said: “By understanding emissions from a range of vehicles in our fleet, this project will help the University’s Transport Strategy objectives to improve local air quality and reduce the University’s carbon footprint.

“I look forward to gaining some really useful insights into vehicle usage which will also help the University to identify potential fuel and cost savings.”

Announcing the trial at the technology innovation show CES in Las Vegas this month, Tantalum Corporation’s chief executive, Ozgur Tohumcu, said: “There’s a real buzz around CES this year about how we can use data cleverly to improve people’s lives.

“At Tantalum, we think the time and effort we are putting into ground breaking R&D to create Air.Car is part what the CES is talking about. It will be transformative for managing and reducing the silent killer, NOx, in the world’s towns and cities, including here in the US.”

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