01.09.2010

EV made from hemp starts trials

Canada-based Motive Industries will start tests this month on an electric car that uses bio-composite body panels made from hemp.

The car, called Kestrel, will make its debut at an EV show in Vancouver in September. The hemp, from the same family as cannabis, is grown in Canada and turned into panels by Alberta Innovates-Technology Futures, a company that provides technical services and funding to help commercialise new technologies.

The Kestrel is one of five electric vehicles being developed by Project Eve, an automotive industry collaboration founded by Motive and Toronto Electric, an Ontario material handling and electric motor company, to boost the production of electric vehicles and electric vehicle components in Canada.

The four-seat Kestrel will have a top speed of 90kph and a range of up to 160 kilometres before needing to be recharged, the company said.
It is one of five electric vehicles being developed by Project Eve, an automotive industry collaboration founded by Motive and Toronto Electric to boost the production of electric vehicles and electric vehicle components in Canada.

Back