The Kestrel is an all-electric powered, four-person car with a top speed of 90 km/h (56 mph) and a body made from hemp. A group of Canadian companies, and an Alberta Crown corporation that provides the hemp, are developing the Kestrel prototype presently being tested by Calgary-based Motive Industries Inc.
The compact car has a 40 to 160 km (25 to 100 mile) range on a single charge dependent upon the battery used to power the TM4 Electrodynamic Systems supplied electric motor. Battery storage capacity ranges in size from 4.5 to 17.3kwh.
Kestrel's impact-resistant composite body is made from woven hemp mats produced by Alberta's Innovates-Technology Futures. Hemp is a member of the cannabis plant family and is novel use of this type of composite in modern vehicles.
Hemp has fibrous roots, stalks and stems used to make textile products and edible seeds, with little THC (a psychoactive compound called tetrahydrocannabinol) unlike other well-known cannabis plants. Hemp grows naturally in a field with low water and little pesticide use so it is a more environmentally friendly option than glass or carbon fibre composites that require high heat and chemicals to produce the fibres.
The Kestrel is part of Project Eve, founded by Motive and Toronto Electric, to boost electric vehicle component and vehicle production in Canada. The first twenty Kestrels are being built by polytechnic schools in Alberta, Quebec, and Toronto.
More of the vehicle design will be revealed after the September EV 2010 VÉ Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver.
Via CBC
written by Melodyu Arcuz , May 29, 2011
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written by dred , April 27, 2011