Plant-based materials are being used to make cars

PARIS: A new Spanish carmaker promises to cause a stir with models made primarily from bio-sourced components.

Two initial vehicles have been announced, with structures partly built from plant-based materials.

The Spanish startup Liux aims to build the most sustainable cars on the market, while making them accessible to all. By using entirely bio-sourced materials, Liux aims not only to reduce costs, but also the weight of its cars and the CO2 emissions associated with their production.

The startup already has two models in its catalog, a small city car called the Geko and a sportier model called the Animal.

The Geko features a body made from a biocomposite of flax fibers and biobased resin, offering, according to Liux, guaranteed performance and safety on par with competitors. Its dimensions are comparable to those of a Smart EQ fortwo. Its speed is limited to 100kph and its range is estimated at 150km, all for a weight of just 550kg.

Production of the Liux Geko is said to cut carbon emissions by 40% compared with the leading city cars on the market.

Even more ambitious, the Animal is a small sedan made from 90% recycled or plant-based materials. The exterior skin, interiors and part of the chassis are made from biopolymers based on organic fibers and resins.

The chassis is made of aluminum, and the modular battery pack offers a range of up to 600km. In terms of performance, the Animal offers the equivalent of 240hp and can reach a top speed of 200kph.

Both of these models are designed to be easy to assemble, disassemble, repair and recycle, reducing the number of parts by 25% compared to a more conventional model. In all cases, the body and chassis molds are 3D printed, which also helps reduce CO2 emissions.

While no price has yet been quoted for the Geko, various configurations are available for the Animal, starting at €39,000 (RM198,000). No delivery date has yet been announced for either model.

Visitors to the recent Viva Technology trade show here were able to discover more about the two models, and Liux was on hand to showcase its expertise.