The Eco Elise project promotes a different perspective on "green", one which does not revolve solely around tailpipe CO2. This holistic approach is in keeping with the progressive Lotus culture, driving Lotus to become the world's green automotive consultancy.
Sustainable materials, hemp, eco wool and sisal have been developed for body panels and trim and, combined with hi-tech water-based paint solutions, showcase new and affordable green technologies. The green credentials of the technology on show in the Eco Elise have been analyzed throughout the lifecycle of the car.
A green gear change display has been integrated into the dashboard to promote greener driving, as well as a weight reduction program to illustrate the holistic approach taken. The energy expended to manufacture the car has been evaluated, working to the 3R's - Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.
In keeping with the company's existing "performance through light weight" philosophy, the Eco Elise weighs 70.5 lb less than the standard Elise S, which means the efficient Elise S engine in the Eco Elise will give better fuel economy figures and performance.
Dramatic improvements to the culture and operations at Lotus have rewarded the company with staggering reductions in energy (electricity -14%, natural gas -30%) and water (-11%) consumed across the company's Hethel, England headquarters in 2007, compared to 2006. These advances have coincided with improvements in recycling, with 57% of waste product now recycled.
The new green materials sourced for this car have been studied to ensure each technology reduces the environmental impact of the vehicle. The life of the components has been analyzed; during the production stage, in-use and at the end of the vehicle's life. The technology aims to offer lower emissions of both solvents and CO2 in the lifecycle of the vehicle, with reductions in energy consumed during manufacture.
The renewable materials incorporated into the project include hemp, eco wool and sisal to provide natural, biodegradable engineering materials. Cleaner manufacturing processes have been sought, utilizing the latest water-based paint technology. Using this paint system saves energy and reduces emissions of solvents from the paint shop. Solar panels have been set into the car's hemp hardtop to help power the electrical systems and give a means of renewable energy generation.
With the use of locally farmed hemp, the carbon miles to produce the Eco Elise are reduced, in keeping with the holistic approach to this vehicle. The Eco Elise puts an emphasis on efficient driving techniques by using an "economy" gear change display to improve fuel efficiency and promote greener driving. The car has undergone a weight reduction program to add a little extra lightness, assisting in more economical, greener driving.
Sustainable hemp fabrics have been used as the primary constituent in the high quality "A" class composite body panels and spoiler. The renewable hemp has exceptional material properties that make for a very strong fiber. Historically, hemp has been used in the manufacture of rope, illustrating the great strength of the material.
The hemp fibers have also been used in the manufacture of the lightweight Lotus-designed seats. An additional benefit of hemp is that it is a natural resource that requires relatively low energy to manufacture. It also absorbs CO2 while growing as a plant through natural photosynthesis. The hemp material is used with a polyester resin to form a hybrid composite. However, it is hoped that a fully recyclable composite resin will be viable in the near future.