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An eco-friendly car - entirely made out of hemp

An eco-friendly car - entirely made out of hemp

Regan_ong

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blogentry-133712-0-93359500-1384505717_thumb.jpgYou would never think that a single plant could solve most of the world's problems, well it can. Hemp has over 50,000 uses, everything from clothes, medicine, fabrics, fuel and more, hemp is definitely a large threat to a variety of corporations that control energy, health and a number of other industries. Many corporations would see a decline in profit if hemp were to be legalised. One in particular is the automobile industry.

 

blogentry-133712-0-89186800-1384505710_thumb.jpgThe world's most eco-friendly car, the Kestrel, was designed in Canada by Calgary-based Motive Industries Inc. Unlike the United States government, the Canadian government is open to hemp farming and actively supports the hemp industry and its potential benefit for us and our environment.

 

blogentry-133712-0-44971200-1384505720_thumb.jpgThe body of the car is completely impact-resistant and made entirely out of hemp. Now, when we think of cars, we think of gasoline, steel, pollution, etc. Even though we have had some innovative and visually pleasing cars on the road today, it is difficult to ignore the sheer environmental impact that modern cars create.

 

blogentry-133712-0-75762400-1384505713_thumb.jpgThe Kestrel’s hemp composite body shell passed its crash test in excellent form. Unlike steel, the panels bounce back into shape after impact. Hemp also has the same mechanical properties as glass but is even lighter which help to boost fuel efficiency. The Kestrel has a top speed of 90km/h and a range of approximately 160km before needing to be recharged. It’s powered by a motor made by TM4 Electrodynamic Systems, a Quebec based company.

 

blogentry-133712-0-70521600-1384505726_thumb.jpgThe car weighs in at approximately 1,134kg, and has a very affordable price, given the fact that hemp is very easy to grow and requires nothing but the sun. It fits four passengers and the production version of it was supposed to be available this year, but since the unveiling of it a couple of years ago, everything has become quiet.




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The only problem is, if it ever catches fire, the occupants may not want to leave. They'll be enjoying it too much.

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Car production is not very pollutive in the first place. So why bother to re-invent the wheel?

 

If there's a solution to reduce pollution from car usage, then it'll be something worth to pursue.

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"Hemp also has the same mechanical properties as glass but is even lighter which help to boost fuel efficiency. "

 

Surely you mean glass fibre and not glass.

 

I don't mind driving a car with the mechanical properties of glass fibre but I wouldn't want to drive a car that is like glass.

 

[laugh]

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