Toyota To Increase Use of Plant-Derived 'Ecological Plastics' in Vehicle Interiors
Toyota Motor Corp. has unveiled plans to use plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics in many of its vehicle models, including the redesigned 2010 Prius hybrid that will make its world debut at the Detroit auto show next month.
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The 2010 Prius will contain bioplastics.
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The so-called "ecological plastics" are polymer materials derived from biomass oils rather than petroleum. They emit less global-warming carbon dioxide during a product's lifecycle (from manufacture to disposal) than petroleum-based plastic.
Toyota, which first used bioplastics in Japanese-market Raum mini MPV in 2003, says its ecological plastic used in the all-new Prius and future vehicles meets the heat-resistance and shock-resistance demands of vehicle interiors and is every bit the equal of conventional plastics quality-wise.
Japan's largest automaker hopes to use plant-based plastic for up to 60 percent of the plastic components within vehicles (such sun visors, pillar covers and scuff plates) by the end of next year.
- Posted by
- Scott Doggett December 18, 2008, 11:59 AM
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- Categories:
- Emissions, Toyota
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- 2010 Prius, Carbon Dioxide, Ecological Plastics, Toyota Motor Corp.
In that photo, it looks there are parking sensors and headlight washers on the Prius. Does anyone know if those are making it to production?