Clean air inside the vehicle is a crucial factor for passenger comfort and health,
as well as for compliance with increasingly stringent international regulations.
AVL’s Vehicle Interior Air Quality (VIAQ) solutions combine proven test methods
with advanced cabin modeling and powerful simulation tools, enabling OEMs to
meet global standards and create healthier, more comfortable interiors.
A Breath of Fresh Air
for Vehicle Development
Vehicle Interior Air Quality
he quality of cabin air has become central to vehicle
development. Passengers expect a healthy, odor-free
environment, while global regulations define strict
limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and aldehydes.
These substances can originate from three main sources:
emissions from interior materials such as dashboards or seat
pads, emissions from passengers themselves, and pollutants
entering from the outside via the ventilation system. Ensuring
safe levels is not just a comfort factor – it is vital for health,
compliance, and brand reputation.
From Regulations to Real Testing
Korea and China already enforce dedicated VIAQ standards,
the EU has defined new formaldehyde limits, and ISO norms
provide a global framework. To meet these requirements, VIAQ
testing is typically carried out in sealed housing for evapora-
tive determination (SHED) chambers in controlled tempera-
tures and humidity. Vehicles are stabilized, sealed, and sam-
pled, with air collected for laboratory analysis. AVL’s VIAQ test
application package upgrades existing AVL SHED systems to
perform these demanding procedures. The package integrates
hardware such as sampling pumps with automation software
for reproducible testing. Results are evaluated and reported
with AVL’s standard tools, creating a complete and legisla-
tion-compliant workflow.
Extending the Perspective: Cabin Modeling
AVL also brings its simulation expertise into the field of interior
air quality. Cabin modeling creates a robust foundation to as-
sess cabin conditions in the earliest phases of development.
Reduced models derived from CFD and implemented in AVL
CRUISE™ M make it possible to predict airflow, pollutant dis-
persion, thermal conditions, and passenger comfort indicators
without waiting for physical prototypes. This allows OEMs to
identify potential issues and implement improvements at a
stage when changes are most efficient and cost-effective. In
this way, cabin modeling complements VIAQ testing as a stra-
tegic tool that accelerates development and ensures healthier
cabin environments.
Holistic Development Approach
The combination of VIAQ testing and cabin modeling provides
a comprehensive strategy for cabin quality. While SHED-based
testing ensures compliance with international regulations,
modeling empowers OEMs to optimize designs, materials, and
HVAC strategies at an early stage. Together, they reduce reli-
ance on costly prototypes, accelerate validation, and improve
the passenger experience. The result: vehicles that are not
only environmentally friendly on the road but also ensure clean
air on the inside.
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