The Eco Elise seats are upholstered in a durable yet biodegradable woolen fabric that has been given the `EU Flower' certificate to exemplify its environmental credentials. This new material is ethically produced and does not use any dyes or harmful processing. In fact, the color is created from the selection of sheep breeds used to produce the wool for the yarn, which increases the natural feel of the wool and reduces the processing of the cloth.
Sisal is a renewable crop that, like hemp, is used for its strong properties. Sisal has been used for the carpets in the Eco Elise, as it is a tough, abrasion-resistant material.
While improving the green credentials of the Lotus production facilities, the Lotus Paint Facility, in partnership with Du Pont, has developed a totally water-based paint system. This solution includes primer, color coat and lacquer, and it is the first time that it has been possible to hand spray a water based "A" class production paint finish.
In using this progressive water based technology, Lotus is able to achieve impressive savings in energy consumption due to the low cure temperature this paint requires. An additional benefit is the reduction in emissions of solvents, all of which contribute to substantial cost savings for Lotus.
The hemp hardtop on the Eco Elise has two flexible solar panels neatly embedded in the roof, contributing power to the electrical systems and saving energy that would be drained from the engine. The solar panels have been integrated into the hard top to illustrate the feasibility of applying this technology. The application shows the installation of solar panels into a composite "A" class panel with a double curvature. Using this technology on a greater number of panels would make it possible to provide more power, especially on a larger vehicle.
The hemp fibers have been farmed in East Anglia (an area close to Lotus), thus reducing the carbon miles incurred in the production of this Elise. Lotus Manufacturing has component manufacturing facilities and a paint facility at its headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, with another manufacturing site a short distance away in Norwich. The company operates a carefully managed logistics system operating between sites to improve efficiency, reduce costs and carbon miles.
Lotus cars have red shift lights to help drivers extract the maximum performance from the engine. However, the Eco Elise has software developed to assist drivers maximize the fuel efficiency of the engine. A green gearshift display has been integrated into the instrument panel to ensure that gears are changed at the optimum point to reduce emissions and save fuel.
"Performance through light weight" is synonymous with Lotus. The reduction in mass improves the handling and braking performance and also reduces the effort required to accelerate the car. The weight reduction philosophy has even extended to the audio system, with an exceptionally lightweight stereo and speaker system from Alpine that saved 3.3 lb. The system uses MP3/ iPod technology in a sleek modern design.
The Eco Elise uses special lightweight wheels that reduce the unsprung mass and contribute a weight saving of approximately 34.8 lb over the already light Elise wheels. The weight saving program for the Eco Elise has resulted in a total saving of around 70.5 lb over the feather light Elise S, which reduces the fuel required to drive the car.
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