Automakers Conduct Research on Capturing CO₂ Directly from Exhaust Pipes

Automakers Conduct Research on Capturing CO₂ Directly from Exhaust Pipes
Author: Le Ngoc Anh Minh – CEO, Pacific Group

Amid increasingly stringent emission standards and growing pressure to shift toward electric vehicles, many automakers and technology companies are taking a bold approach: capturing CO₂ directly at the exhaust of internal combustion engines (ICE) rather than only focusing on reducing emissions at the fuel source. This technology promises to turn ICE vehicles into “carbon-neutral” machines without requiring immediate changes to fuel infrastructure.

Aramco and Mobile Carbon Capture: Leading with Field Trials
Aramco has developed a Mobile Carbon Capture (MCC) system installed directly on vehicles such as the Ford F-250 and Toyota Camry to capture a portion of CO₂ from exhaust gases. The technology uses a chemical solvent to absorb CO₂, which is then compressed and stored on the vehicle. Field tests have achieved 10–30% CO₂ capture under mixed driving conditions. Aramco believes that if scaled up, ICE vehicles could meet net-zero emissions targets during the transition period.

Toyota & Kawasaki: Racing Cars That “Clean the Air”
Toyota, in partnership with Kawasaki, drew attention by unveiling a hydrogen-powered GR Corolla capable of “cleaning air while driving.” The car is equipped with a special CO₂ filter at the intake, which absorbs CO₂ and converts it into a solution. Although the captured CO₂ is modest—around 20 grams during a race at Fuji Speedway—this research opens the prospect of combining hydrogen combustion engines with CO₂ capture to make ICE technology genuinely emission-neutral.

Qaptis: Retrofit Solutions for Heavy Trucks
Swiss startup Qaptis is developing a retrofit solution for heavy trucks, installing onboard CO₂ absorption and liquefaction systems. Captured CO₂ is stored in pressurized tanks and later offloaded at collection stations for industrial reuse. Qaptis aims to capture up to 90% of emissions, a level sufficient for logistics companies to offset CO₂ emissions in their supply chains.

Remora: Capturing CO₂ for Sale
In the United States, startup Remora is deploying devices on tractor-trailer trucks to capture CO₂ directly from diesel exhaust, refine and compress it onboard. The captured CO₂ can be sold to industries such as beverages, agriculture, or permanently stored underground. Remora expects its technology to help transport companies reduce emissions without waiting for expensive heavy-duty EV adoption.

Prospects and Challenges
Despite clear potential, onboard CO₂ capture faces several challenges. The main issue is the size and weight of the equipment, which affects transport capacity. Moreover, solvent absorption and regeneration require additional energy, potentially increasing fuel consumption if waste heat is not efficiently utilized. Manufacturing, maintenance, and replacement of absorbent materials also pose commercial barriers.

However, in a context where some countries commit to net-zero emissions but still need ICEs for years, this technology could become an important transitional solution. Governments can encourage adoption through carbon credits, retrofit subsidies, and regulations requiring the transport sector to reduce emissions.

Conclusion
Capturing CO₂ directly at the exhaust is a bold step in reducing transport-sector emissions. From Aramco to Toyota, Qaptis, and Remora, solutions have demonstrated technical feasibility. If scaled and cost-optimized, this technology could become a strategic tool for automakers and fleets to meet climate standards while generating economic value from captured CO₂.

Illustrative Data Comparing Three CO₂ Capture Scenarios:

Key Takeaways (Illustrative):

• Small cars: Very high cost per ton of CO₂ due to low capture volume; not economically viable.

• Heavy trucks: Reasonable results due to longer distances and higher emissions (~$700/t CO₂).

• Depot capture: Most cost-effective (~$200/t CO₂) because of scale, space, and efficient compression.

Policy Suggestions:

1. Prioritize testing and support for heavy trucks and depot solutions for maximum emission impact per dollar.

2. Subsidize CAPEX or provide tax credits for fleet retrofits to reduce initial investment barriers.

3. Develop CO₂ collection infrastructure at depots for offloading captured CO₂, lowering logistics costs.

4. Implement carbon credit mechanisms or offtake agreements to monetize captured CO₂.

5. Support R&D for absorbent materials and waste-heat recovery to reduce OPEX and increase capture efficiency, while requiring life-cycle assessment verification to ensure true climate benefits.