French tier 1 supplier Valeo’s UV Air Purifier has been named CES 2022 Innovation Awards Honouree, which it says is the world's most powerful air sterilisation system for bus and coach cabins. 

The company says upon activation, the system eliminates, in a single airflow cycle, more than 95% of viruses, including Covid-19, as well as any bacteria or mould present in the air circulating in the cabin. The Valeo-designed modules are effective throughout the vehicle's journey with passengers onboard.

The air purifier uses ultraviolet light technology through a ‘light labyrinth’, the UV rays are blocked from spreading outside of the metal box which ensures that passengers are never exposed to them. Only the air circulating in the ventilation box is purified by the light. The UV rays work as both a bactericide and a germicide and can kill microbes such as viruses and pathogens. The effectiveness of disinfection against corona viruses has been scientifically proven in European laboratories.

The Valeo UV Air Purifier is designed to be compatible with buses and coaches of all types and sizes, air-conditioned or non-air-conditioned. It can be fitted to new vehicles as well as those already on the road. The company says till date, more than 2,000 buses are already equipped worldwide with the technology.