A decisive new step for air quality: the world's first trial of an anti-pollution technology for bus braking.

Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération (m2A), Transdev, Tallano Technologies and IVECO BUS are launching a full-scale trial of a system for capturing fine particles from braking at source on urban buses. This French innovation, a world first in ecological transition, prepares the way for the entry into force of European Euro 7 regulations.

Following the announcement of the project in April 2024, the inauguration of this operational phase took place in the presence of the President of Mulhouse Alsace Agglomération, Fabian Jordan, and the Chairman and CEO of Transdev group, Thierry Mallet. This is a world first, carried out on the Soléa network, the historic mobility operator in the Mulhouse conurbation.

The first bus, now fitted with a particulate filter by Tallano Technologies, will start operating on July 1,,2025. The solution is being deployed on three buses, and will gradually be extended to 50 retrofit vehicles on the existing fleet, before being integrated into all new buses between 2025 and 2030.

Developed by Tallano Technologies, TAMIC® technology captures at source over 70% of the fine particles emitted by braking. This technology is fully in line with current trends: fine particles linked to vehicle braking will be regulated by 2030, with the entry into force of European Euro 7 regulations for heavy-duty vehicles.

By 2050, non-exhaust emissions are expected to account for up to 90% of all particulates emitted by road transport, as exhaust particulates will decrease due to the electrification of vehicles, according to the impact study that accompanied the European Commission’s proposal for a European regulation.

The braking of vehicles, including heavy goods vehicles, coupled with the friction of tires on asphalt, is the main source of air pollution in cities via fine particles. ADEME has estimated that by 2022, more than half the particulates emitted by recent road vehicles will come from these sources.

Each internal combustion engine bus emits an average of 4 kg of braking particles per year, which, if not captured, are dispersed into the air and soil. According to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), fine particle emissions from brakes, tires and road surfaces now exceed those from exhaust.

The TAMIC® system, protected by over 50 international patents, works in two stages:

• The particles are captured by a groove created in the brake pad, and are then transported to the brake.
• Retention of over 70% of fine and ultrafine particles in a filter.

This innovation, awarded a prize by Propulse as part of the new agreement between m2A and Soléa, is fully in line with the conurbation’s climate strategy, which aims to anticipate future standards and sustainably improve air quality for its residents.

Award-winning innovation in 2024. In 2024, the Agence de l’Innovation pour les Transports launched the 4th edition of Propulse, a program to support and accelerate innovative projects. Three calls for projects were launched: Sustainable transport; Multimodality and intermodality; Data sharing.