Biodefense mode or HEPA air filter for Rivian??

[Race3]

The Tesla has a unique feature called biodefense mode, that pushes all air thru a HEPA filter. It's particularly useful when air quality (AQI) is low and especially useful for situations such as the fires in the greater LA area (the entire area has dangerous AQI levels right now). Does anyone know if the Rivian cabin air filter can accommodate a HEPA filter? Would it be possible for Rivian to implement this type of feature with a new filter and software update? It's more than just the filter alone, Tesla pushes air thru the vehicle differently than when in normal mode. However, I'd much rather be in a Rivian than a Tesla... but this is one feature that I'd like to adopted.

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[Mellowyellow]

Air filter testing

 

[COdogman]

Another Tesla gimmick with a silly name.

Pressurizing the air in the vehicle won't help if the filter can't prevent whatever it is outside from coming through. That air comes from the same place. It's not airtight. Tesla uses HEPA filters just like many manufacturers do. They let through particles of a certain size otherwise no air could push through it.

 

[ThirteenElectrics]

I would love Rivian to adopt the mondo HEPA filters that exist in the Model X. It's a great feature for the west coast, which frequently burning and resembles some circle of hell.

 

[SDEV]

It’s not a gimmick and it works really well. Wish the Rivian had something similar. Really hate being stuck behind a stank exhaust from other vehicles and I can’t clear out the air inside the vehicle. The bio defense mode I do miss.


How it Works
HEPA Filtration: The hospital-grade High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter captures particles down to 0.3 micrometers in size, stripping the air of dust, exhaust fumes, mold spores, and viruses.

Positive Pressure: When activated, the climate control fan runs at maximum speed to pressurize the cabin. This forces air out of the car's micro-leaks, ensuring outside, unfiltered air cannot seep in.

Activated Carbon: Secondary carbon layers inside the system help reduce the intake of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and exterior odors.

 

[josh0]

It’s not a gimmick and it works really well. Wish the Rivian had something similar. Really hate being stuck behind a stank exhaust from other vehicles and I can’t clear out the air inside the vehicle. The bio defense mode I do miss.


How it Works
HEPA Filtration: The hospital-grade High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter captures particles down to 0.3 micrometers in size, stripping the air of dust, exhaust fumes, mold spores, and viruses.

Positive Pressure: When activated, the climate control fan runs at maximum speed to pressurize the cabin. This forces air out of the car's micro-leaks, ensuring outside, unfiltered air cannot seep in.

Activated Carbon: Secondary carbon layers inside the system help reduce the intake of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and exterior odors.

So it… uses standard air filtration parts and turns the fan up?

 

[SDEV]

The Model Y has 4 massive filters for the bio defense system on top of the standard hvac filters. I believe it turns on the recirculate and high fan but also allows enough air from the exterior to pressurize the cabin. It works extremely well.
Multiple times I drove through thick wild fire smoke, turned the bio defense mode on and didn’t smell a thing.

 

[ndmiller]

Very fringe use case, would you pay $1-5K more for it?

 

[DuoRivians]

The problem is that if the fans aren’t designed for the extra filtration, you could be damaging your hvac system.

Same reason why one shouldn’t use extra duty filters on home heating systems: those fans aren’t designed to work that hard to pull in air.

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