UK – biodegradable car debut

The Guardian reports that a biodegradable car has made its British debut at the Science Museum in London, at an exhibition to celebrate 100 years of plastic-making.



Incorporated into the body panels of the single-seater Toyota I-Unit are degradable fibres from kenaf, a type of Asian hemp. The driver controls the speed, direction and braking using a single orb-like control. The car is powered by two lithium ion batteries, allowing it to reach up to 25mph. Wing mirrors are replaced by proximity sensors and light-emitting diodes.