Sure, electric cars are neat, but what if we could take the level of green-ness to an all-time high? Alberta-based Motive Industries...(exhale)...recently announced that it has created an electric vehicle called the Kestrel which has a "bio-composite" body made from hemp mats.
The mats are sourced from Alberta Innovates Technology Futures, a company which processes hemp grown in, you guessed it, Alberta, Canada. Motive CEO Nathan Armstrong says, "We saw a unique opportunity to make significant advancements in the automotive sector and support the Canadian auto sector by providing sustainable products and opportunities to create new green manufacturing jobs."
Armstrong goes on to explain why hemp is "the best": it doesn't need a lot of water and pesticides, it can grow in Canada's climate, and "it's illegal to grow it in the US, so it actually gives Canada a bit of a market advantage."
Motive's goal is to make the bio-composite as strong as mainstream glass composites (which require more energy to create), ultimately reducing weight and retaining durability. Under its deliciously hippie body will be a an electric motor capable of pushing the car to a very relaxed 90 km/h (~56 mph) and a range of 40-160 kilometers, dependent on the battery selected (it can handle batteries with capacities of 4.5 kWh and 17.3 kWh).
The car is part of Project Eve, a joint venture of sorts between Motive and other energy-industry companies to promote electric vehicles and their components. Said to be a compact, 4-passenger car, the Kestrel will begin testing later this month and make its first appearance in September at the Vancouver EV 2010 Conference and Trade Show alongside other Project Eve vehicles.
Wait...what were we talking about?
By Phil Alex
