It’s incredible that cars would now be made of coconut. Researchers at Baylor University have introduced a innovative way to transform coconut husk into automotive interiors.
Researchers believe that the coconut husk can be used to design the trunk liners, floor boards, and car door interior covers replacing the synthetic polyester fibres.
Most of the people will wonder that why only coconuts were selected among a long list of plants grown across the world. But the leading researcher, Walter Bradley, has the answer.
He says that coconuts has been picked up from the long list because it is grown in abundance. And about 96% of the total coconut production is taken over by poor farmers who don’t even manage to earn their basic living requirements with this plantation. The idea to utilize coconut fire to build automotive interiors will create a viable new market for these poor farmers along with making the cars more environment friendly.
In addition, coconuts having better mechanical properties not only preserves natural resources but are also cost effective and comparatively reduces a car weight. Adding to the green concept, coconut do not emit toxic fumes and are thus light on environment.
Though this concept is new for the Indian car industry, in the global car market Mercedes-Benz is know to be the first to use natural fibre in cars. The exterior of Mercedes-Benz A-Class Coupé is manufactured using the abaca banana plant replacing the traditional glass fibre.
Coconut Cars….Natural fibers.. are all car manufacturers going back to adhere to nature. Hybrid, Solar and Electric engines and now the interiors. Good thought.. It will surely help the poor farmers. Only one problem if they don't use good quality goods, its gonna affect the health of the customers very badly.
Hi RAAGA. if the coconuts are natural, then I think even the quality would be good. But I just wonder how would the coconut made car interiors look like.
Using coconut for making car interiors is realy a good measure taken by these researchers. Infact I am more happy with the fact that these people though about the poor farmers. This move will give them a new livelihood as well as new look to the cars in the global industry.
I think the trend is going completely towards eco-friendly car interiors. Mercedes introduce natural fibres in the car, now the sue of coconut and i think in future all car manufacturers will start using natural fibres and plants for designing cars and its interiors.
Coconut Cars sounds interesting. Every single thing from coconut tree like leaf, wood, fruit etc…is used for various purpose.It is an all rounder tree.But now it is useful in car making too is a great achievement.
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