LOTUS ECO ELISE

Harping on about reducing emissions is all well and good, but rather redundant if the process of making the car in the first place has already stomped its size-12 carbon footprint all over our precious planet. Hence British sports car maker Lotus is taking a more holistic approach to green motoring with its Eco Elise. With the three environmental Rs – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle – firmly in mind, sustainable materials such as hemp have been used to build the A-class (as opposed to class-A) composite body panels and spoiler, which is adorned with hi-tech water-based paint that contains far less solvents than conventional coats. The Eco Elise is also lighter on its carbon-saving feet, weighing 32kg less than the standard Elise and thereby improving fuel economy and performance. The technology should be production-viable in the not-too-distant future, but for now the Lotus Eco Elise will be on display in the Greener Driving Pavilion at the British Motor Show from 23 July.