Spanish electric vehicle startup Liux has revealed that it is developing a car called the Animal, with 90% of the materials used either plant-based or recycled.
The Animal’s interior, body, and some of the chasse are made from bio-polymers, which are produced using organic fibres and resins. Specifically, the outer “amphibian skin” features cork and linen reinforced with organic resin. This skin is then finished with primer and paint.
The parts and moulds for the bodywork and chassis are 3D-printed, which reduces the energy required and the carbon emissions produced by 70%. Simple components make the vehicle easy to assemble, disassemble, repair, and recycle, reducing the volume of materials required by 25%.
The Animal will travel at a top speed of 200 km/h, with a range of up to 600 km. The battery packs used are modular, meaning they can easily be replaced or upgraded and additional battery capacity can be added.
Sustainable vehicles
As environmental concerns increase, vehicle manufacturers are increasingly focusing on sustainable materials. Electric motorcycle manufacturer Tarform recently revealed a new model called the Luna, featuring bio-based vegan leather seats and a body made from a plant-based composite.
Meanwhile, Volvo has announced that all its new electric cars will be made without animal leather, while the company will use 25% recycled and bio-based materials by 2025. From 2030, no new internal combustion engine or hybrid vehicles will be produced.
Speaking about the Animal, Liux explained the company’s plans for sustainable manufacturing.
“A large part of the outer bodywork will be made of vegetable fibers, especially flax, formed and molded with the help of vegetable resins. The objective is that 90% of the resins are based on soy and other organic elements,” said the startup, adding, “The objective is to run small factories, with the capacity to produce about 25,000 units per plant and to place different factories in different geographical areas, close to demand.”
