Hyundai and Kia Introduce World’s First In-Vehicle Plasma Care UVC Sanitization Technology

SEOUL, South Korea - Hyundai Motor Company, an automotive manufacturer and Kia Corporation have unveiled Plasma Care UVC, the world’s first in-vehicle sanitization technology using a plasma lamp to disinfect the cabin and reduce odors while passengers are inside.

The system uses Far-UVC light in the 200–230 nm range, which is designed to sanitize effectively while limiting penetration into human skin. Unlike conventional UV sterilization, Far-UVC targets bacteria and viruses by damaging their DNA, helping improve cabin hygiene and air quality.

By reducing bacteria and microorganisms, Plasma Care UVC also helps eliminate odor-causing substances, creating a cleaner and more comfortable vehicle cabin.

Hyundai Motor and Kia adapted Far-UVC technology for vehicle cabins by developing a compact, durable and energy-efficient system powered by a specialized plasma lamp with added safety controls.

Unlike conventional UVC, which is mainly used in enclosed areas due to safety risks, Far-UVC is designed for occupied spaces. However, using it inside vehicles required solutions for limited cabin space, electronic components and close passenger proximity.

To address this, Hyundai and Kia used a plasma-based light source to generate Far-UVC wavelengths, optimized the system for smaller vehicle cabins, improved power efficiency, ensured durability against vibration and temperature changes, and added optical filtering for controlled wavelength emission.

The technology was tested through component, chamber and real-vehicle evaluations. Tests confirmed a 96.8% reduction in airborne viruses within 30 minutes, a 99.9% reduction of pneumonia-causing bacteria after 30 seconds, and 99.9% eradication of E. coli after 40 minutes in a Kia PV5.

Hyundai and Kia showcased Plasma Care UVC in different Kia PV5 use cases, including a school shuttle and a mobile fruit-selling vehicle, highlighting its potential for purpose-built vehicles, shared mobility and future cabin hygiene solutions. The companies will continue technical validation in line with international safety standards before production use.

Han Joo Jang, a Senior Research Engineer at MPV & Small Sized Vehicle Interior Engineering Design Team 2, Hyundai Motor and Kia, said “Plasma Care UVC was developed for use in open vehicle cabin environments with passengers, moving beyond conventional sanitization methods that are limited to enclosed areas. We expect it to serve as a valuable cabin hygiene solution that delivers a more pleasant mobility experience across future mobility scenarios, including autonomous driving and purpose-built vehicles.”

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