Latest green car made from kelp
Toyota will this week unveil its latest green car prototype – a design built entirely from bio-plastics made from seaweed.
Bio-plastic is derived from renewable sources, such as vegetable oil, corn starch, or in this case seaweed, as opposed to conventional plastics which are made from petroleum.
The 1/xth will be on show at the Melbourne Auto Show this weekend, but will not go into production until 2015 at the earliest.
How green are bioplastics?
Not as environmentally friendly as the name suggests. They often rely on oil as an energy and source of material, but the manufacture of certain bioplastics can deliver as much as a 42% reduction in carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based plastic.
Grow your own eco-car
The ‘BamGoo’ concept car has bodywork made entirely from bamboo that can be thrown on the compost heap when it comes to the end of its life.
The 60kg eco-friendly car has been built at Kyoto University, using a local bamboo weaving technique. The car can run for 50 kilometres (30 miles) on a single charge.
Cars made from plants
Car manufacturers are slowly starting to incorporate natural materials into the production process.
Door interior panels can contain a range of renewable materials including flax, sisal and hemp, and coconut fibres and latex can be used in seat upholstery.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “If urban cars become extremely lightweight vehicles, it is quite possible that we will see a form of biodegradable design.”
Related green car articles:
Electric car with five seats launched
Electric cars – tell me more
Biofuel that grows on trees
Dyson to build electric car
Green driving
The ETA is an ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with green breakdown cover and green insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.