Researchers at the University of Warwick have created the world's first Formula 3 green racing car to be designed and made from sustainable and renewable materials.
The car is powered by waste chocolate and vegetable oil, and the car’s steering wheel is made from carrot fibres. There are other eco-friendly bits to the car as well, from plant-oil engine lubricants to a seat made of flax fibre and soybean oil. After months of research the team says the car is finally ready to drive.
“The project clearly demonstrates that automotive environmentalism can and should be about the whole package,” said Dr. Steve Maggs, part of the Warwick team.
Sadly the minor-league open-wheel racing circuit doesn’t allow biofuel engines, yet. Even if it won’t hit the circuit, the car is the latest illustration of the environmental tensions gripping auto racing. Nascar teams have started buying carbon offsets. Formula One teams, in addition to offsets, have started using more biofuels and tinkering with new technology to get around the inconvenient truth that there’s nothing too environmentally-friendly about racing.
