Grow it yourself: the biodegradable, plant-based car is here

Several projects are underway to build genuinely green cars that not only run on biofuels, but that are made from plant-based parts as well. Who needs oil when you can go ‘bio’ all the way? A ‘Biocar’ project was launched recently in Canada, whereas in the US a conglomerate of research organisations is working on a similar ‘AgriCar’, which will be made out of bio-based products for 90%. Bioplastics, biopolymers, biocomposites, biolubricants, biofuel-cells, and biofuels are coming together in the cars of the future (earlier post). Or of the present. Researchers at the University of Warwick recently presented their first environmentally-friendly racing car with tyres made from potatoes and brake pads from cashew nut shells.
Biopact