Toyota has genetically engineered two new species of plant, derivatives of the cherry sage and gardenia plants, to absorb nitrogen oxides and remove heat from the atmosphere to offset the carbon dioxide (CO2) created from the Prius production at the Toyota’s Prius plant in Toyota City, Japan.
The sage derivative’s leaves have unique characteristics that absorb harmful gases, while the gardenia’s leaves create water vapor to reduce the surface temperature of the factory, according to Drive Australia who first reported on the story.
The company has come under considerable criticism of late that the Prius is not as green as it at first seems, once things like manufacturing and production emissions are taken into account.
Toyota has greened up its act by installing solar panels on some of their buildings, using low-grown lawns to minimize watering and mowing, and installing energy efficient lighting. Toyota also planted 50,000 trees in 2008 to offset CO2 emissions from the factory.
Via Drive Australia
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