It’s not just the use of renewable resources to refuel vehicles that can make a car green – it’s also what is on the inside that counts.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid is to feature some notably green interiors. The vehicles will come with soy-based foam seat backs and cushions and these will be covered by recycled plastic.
The introduction of the soy-based foam brings an end to the use of conventional polyurethane foam, which is derived from petroleum. According to reports, Ford is also considering further new materials including bio-based resins, which can be used to manufacture other components of a vehicle, and bio-plastics.
The impact of Ford’s latest ploy? Well, the company suggests that it will offset around five million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions after the seats are used in more than one million Ford cars that are expected to be developed before the year’s end.
They key for most drivers will be whether or not the seats reflect the additional cost of soy use.
