Lotus creates a green car with the Eco Elise
By Susan Wilson
Usually when you think of LOTUS, you don’t think of green technology, environmentally concerned, or ecologically minded. Speed, performance, and power are more common terms linked to Lotus cars. Now the new Eco Elise is changing all that. Sure power, speed and performance are still included but now Lotus has broadened its specifications to include such concepts as materials lifecycle, and environmental impact.
According to Autoblog, the new Eco Elise incorporates new sustainable materials such as hemp, sisal, “eco wool”, and a high tech water based paint in the body and trim. Along with the environmentally sound materials, Lotus has also considered the energy expended during the manufacture of the car utilizing the 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
The composite body panels are made using locally grown Hemp as a primary component. Hemp is also used for the seats. Since the hemp is a locally grown sustainable crop, the amount of CO2 needed to transport the hemp to the factory is minimized.
By using hemp, “eco wool” and sisal, the vehicle is also lighter by 32 kg or 70.5 lbs even though it uses the same aluminum frame as the Elise S. A new “green gear change display” built into the dash promotes fuel efficient driving. The lighter weight along with the green gear change display help improve the energy efficiency of the car.
Besides the improvements to the body and interior, Lotus has also added solar panels to the roof of the car. The solar panels power the electrical systems adding to the efficiency of the car and reducing the strain on the engine.
Environmental improvements at the factory also up the green factor. Lotus reduced the use of electricity (14%), gas (30%) and water (11%) at the plant during 2007 compared to 2006. During the same time, Lotus recycled 57% of its waste products.
The entire lifecycle of the car has been analyzed by Lotus to ensure the most environmentally sound impact imaginable.
The new green materials sourced for this car have been carefully studied to ensure that each technology used reduces the environmental impact of the vehicle. The life of the components has been analysed; during the production stage, in-use and at the end of the vehicle’s life. The technology used aims to offer lower emissions of both solvents and CO2 in the lifecycle of the vehicle, with reductions in energy consumed during manufacture.
For a car company most noted for creating high performance cars, this new green approach to car manufacturing is amazing. Many car manufacturers are looking at ways of improving gas mileage and/or car emissions, but aren’t looking at the entire car and manufacturing process as means for improving the environment. Lotus has done this by focusing on more than just the environmental impact of the gas mileage and CO2 output of the car.
This approach to car making is something that more car manufacturers should be paying attention to. Unfortunately, one of the more enviromentally sound and stronger ingredients in the new Lotus Eco Elise can’t be grown in the U.S. because of its association with marijuana. Hemp is an incredibly strong fiber, and great cash crop that has been used for centuries but outlawed in America.
Lotus’ holistic approach to car production has raised the standard not just for cars but for car manufacturing as well.
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