These eco materials are changing the way cars are made
A lot needs to be done in an effort to tackle climate change. A greater focus on alternative fuels has already been running for some time, while a lot of manufacturers are looking at how their vehicles are made - and what they’re made with - in order to lessen the impact they make on the wider environment.
In recent times, car companies have been experimenting with a host of alternative materials to help make their cars a little greener. Here, we’re going to check out some of the most prominent new techniques that are being used.
Cork
Though you might expect to find cork in a bottle of your favourite wine, it’s actually being put to good use in cars, too. A variety of manufacturers have started using this eco-friendly material in their vehicles, with concept models from both Mini and Porsche testing out cork.
But it has already made its way into production vehicles, too, with Mazda using it around the centre console of its electric MX-30 crossover. This also harks back to Mazda’s origins, as it started out as a cork manufacturer in 1920 before branching out to car building.
Vegan-friendly leather
There’s quite a lot of focus not only on greener materials but more ethically sourced ones too. The leather used in vehicles is a key area of concern, which is why many car companies are switching out traditional animal-sourced leather for vegan-friendly alternatives.
In fact, BMW has made a completely leather-free interior for its new 5 Series, while both Land Rover and Volvo offer substitutes for animal-sourced hides. Though previously faux leather may have been seen as a bit cheap, modern material technologies mean that these vegan-friendly alternatives are closer to the real thing than ever.
Bio paint
A car’s paint is probably one of the last places you’d expect to find eco-friendly gains, but since most automotive paint is made with crude oil there’s some real potential to make this process cleaner.
That’s where bio paints come in, which are made from renewable materials. BMW has already started implementing these for its matt paint finishes and it says that it lowers CO2 emissions generated by the painting process by 40 per cent.
Seaqual
No, it’s not the follow-up to your favourite movie, but a new material made from recycled marine litter taken from the Mediterranean Sea. It’s used mainly on a car’s seats and has the feeling of a hard-wearing textile. It’s easy to clean and has an immediate impact on how ‘green’ a vehicle’s design can be.
It’s already been put to good use in the latest Fiat 500 and Panda models, as well as Cupra’s electric Born.
Steel
Steel is one of the most-used materials within the make-up of a car. In fact, it makes up some 55 per cent of the substances of a car, meaning that any changes made here can make a really big difference.
A lot of the steel from cars is already recycled when the car is broken up at the end of its life but, because of the complexities related to car building a lot of this material isn’t used to create brand-new vehicles but is instead snapped up the construction industry.
Alcantara
Alcantara is one of the biggest names in the car material business, with this company’s high-quality suede-like substance used in a variety of high-end models from the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.
Alcantara’s latest generation of material is made from 68 per cent recycled polyester, too, which is said to be taken from ‘waste material’. It’s all properly certified, too, with independent verification checks ensuring that this new material really has come from recycled sources.
