MG Motor India mulling over cabin sterilisation tech for its vehicles

MG Motor India has revealed that it is collaborating with Singapore-based specialist Medklinn to explore the possibility of introducing “natural sterilisation of cabin air and surfaces” in its vehicle range. The carmaker is assessing the viability of installing Medklinn’s ‘Cerafusion’ sterilisation technology in the Hector SUV and the ZS EV for India.

Medklinn states that its sterilisers equipped with the patented technology have been proven to eliminate 99.9 percent of bacteria, virus, moulds, allergens, odours and harmful pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  Medklinn also says the tech disinfects cabin surfaces by leveraging “active oxygen”, which comprises negative oxygen ions (O-) and controlled levels of ozone (O3).

Commenting on the initiative, Rajeev Chaba, president and managing director, MG Motor India, said, “We are proactively looking to deploy HVAC system-based cabin sterilisation and disinfection technology. We will continue to work towards developing safer mobility experiences and services for our customers while providing them with a cleaner and safer in-car environment. As a future-forward brand, this initiative also highlights our readiness for the ‘new normal’ in the post-pandemic world.”

The Singapore-based firm already offers cabin decontamination products under its ‘Autoplus’ sub-brand in international markets. Equipped with the active oxygen generating ‘Cerafusion’ tech, the portable devices can either be plugged into the vehicle’s lighter socket or docked into a USB port to operate. If MG’s plans of bringing the technology to its India portfolio materialise, then the novel offering could become a USP in a market still suffering from the repercussions of the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Of MG’s products in India, only the ZS EV sports a specialised cabin-filtration solution in the form of a dedicated PM 2.5 filter. The proposed active-oxygen tech could help the automaker one up competition like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, which are equipped with bespoke air-filtration functions too.