Towards cleaner mobility through quick deployment of low-cost retrofit solutions (AeroSolfd)

The project AeroSolfd will deliver affordable, adaptable, and environmentally friendly retrofit solutions to reduce tailpipe and brake emissions and pollution in (semi-) closed environments. This will allow a quick transition towards cleaner mobility and a healthier environment.

AeroSolfd is coordinated by Mann + Hummel, Germany. The consortium - composed of large industrial players, renowned scientific institutes and lighthouse demo sites from eight European countries - has joined forces to realise the quick deployment of three low-cost retrofit solutions so that people in Europe and beyond can benefit already by 2025 from cleaner mobility and a healthier environment.

Retrofits are key enabling technologies during the transition to zero-exhaust vehicles by electrification and until reduced non-exhaust measures are implemented. Even beyond, brake and closed environment retrofits will continue to play an important role in the electrified road and rail fleet. Quick wins in the reduction of the overall health and environmental impact of the existing fleets can be realised by using our three retrofits for tailpipe, brake and (semi-) closed environments. In gasoline combustion engines, fine particles and toxic secondary emissions will be reduced by an innovative Gasoline Particle Filter and NO_x exhaust emissions would be minimised by replacing the three-way-catalyst with new equipment. In addition, brake particles of long-lived road transport assets will be reduced by an advanced brake dust particle filter and fine particles in closed environments (bus stops, tunnels, metro stations) using a specially designed and enhanced stationary air purifier.

AeroSolfd will also put special focus on increasing public and political awareness of the detrimental impact of tailpipe and brake emissions on the environment and people’s health. It will provide policymakers with recommendations on how to develop incentive schemes for the quick market uptake of these retrofit technologies by 2025.

Steinbeis Europa Zentrum as a project partner is responsible of the administrative project management, the communication and dissemination activities as well as the exploitation of project results.

Further information:

• Funding: European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation award
• Funding budget: 7,2 million EUR (Project total costs: 8,2 million EUR)
• Participating countries: Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain
• Demo Sites: Bulgaria, Germany, Finland, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain
• Project duration: 05/2022 – 04/2025

The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No 101056661.