As India grapples with alarmingly high pollution levels, particularly during winter months, car air purifiers are rapidly becoming a must-have accessory for healthier commutes. These compact devices are proving vital in filtering out pollutants, allergens, and smoke, ensuring that drivers and passengers can breathe cleaner air, even amidst choking smog.
The demand for in-car air purification is soaring, with searches for these devices skyrocketing in smog-affected Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow. Industry forecasts predict the global car air purifier market to reach a staggering USD 15.1 billion by 2035, with India showing a significant growth trajectory. This surge is fueled by increasing awareness of indoor vehicle pollution and the deteriorating quality of outdoor air.
Car air purifiers employ advanced technologies such as HEPA filters, activated carbon filters, and ionizers. These systems effectively capture fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), harmful gases, and unpleasant odors, providing much-needed relief from respiratory irritation and allergies. The growing vehicle density and construction dust in urban areas further accentuate the need for these purifiers.
While countries like the US, Germany, China, and Japan have widely integrated purifiers, India is rapidly catching up. This trend is no longer limited to luxury vehicles, with mid-segment cars and fleet operators also adopting these solutions for enhanced passenger comfort and safety. Leading brands like Philips, Honeywell, and Eureka Forbes are seeing booming sales on e-commerce platforms, offering effective multi-layer filtration and odor removal.
Despite their benefits, it’s important to note that car air purifiers primarily address indoor air quality and do not filter outside air entering through open windows. Regular filter replacement can also incur costs, and some cheaper models may generate harmful ozone. Nevertheless, driven by rising pollution, health consciousness, and government initiatives for cleaner air, the car air purifier market in India is poised for substantial growth, with future innovations promising even smarter, AI-integrated solutions for a healthier driving experience.