When we think of a plant, like industrial hemp we would not necessarily connect it with the automotive industry. Also, we don’t often think of what materials are used to make the bumpers, battery cases, trays, drink holders, instrument panels, and door trims and many other parts.
Now this is changing. BMW, as well as many other well-known luxurious car brands including Porsche, Chrysler are choosing to explore using hemp cellulose as a natural add on to the plastic composite, for many not only ecological reasons.
The outer layer of a hemp plant the bast fiber depending on a number of factors, can have 53-91% of cellulose and integrating into the plastic composite can replace glass fiber, talc and calcium carbonate and these are the reasons that explain this choice.
Hemp weighs 80% less than these toxic materials and that can significantly reduce the fuel consumption, that is a big win in itself. It is also one of the strongest natural fibers out there that still allows for flexibility. Finally if you think of existing resources they are obtained via mining that requires fossil fuel energy and that leads to 3-4% increase in greenhouse emissions, while 1 tonne of processed hemp can absorb 2.8-3 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Let me share with you some of the car brands that are showcasing how sustainable solutions are not only better for our pocket but also better for our immediate environment.
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In 2019, Porsche included hemp and flax car parts in its 718 Cayman GT4 Clubs port.
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In 2010, Canada Motive debuted the Kestrel, an electric car with a body composed of polymer resin and hemp fiber.
Source: https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/watch-apteras-solar-powered-3-wheel-ev-cruise-southern-californias-winding-coastal-roads-1234618320/
San Diego-based Aptera Motors developed a solar-powered vehicle using ultra-lightweight composites with hemp.
If you would like to meet someone from Florida who built his own car using hemp composites join me for one of the upcoming #hempytalks where I’m going to talk to Bruce Michael Dietzen who is a Floridian Renew Sports Car owner prides itself on creating ultra-low carbon footprint vehicles, by developing a car body with 100% hemp composite.
ps. Event updates on The Hempy Talks are being posted on our Hempy People LinkedIN page. Just give it a follow to stay in the loop.
Hempily yours,
Beatrix 🙂
