Going to Pot: Motive to unveil cannabis-composite Kestrel [w/video]

Motive Industries has announced that they will unveil Canada's first bio-composite bodied electric car this September at the EV 2010 VÉ Conference and Trade Show in Vancouver. Dubbed the Kestrel, the four-passenger compact forgoes some of the traditional fibers used in composites for a renewable green car (*ahem*) technology – hemp.

The bio material is derived from hemp mats produced by Alberta Innovates Technology Futures (AITF) who gets their stash from Vegreville, Alberta (industrial hemp, i.e., Cannabis sativa L, is legally grown in Canada under license from Health Canada and must contain less than 0.3 per cent THC). As well as having the impact resistance of fiberglass composites, the hemp version has the added bonuses of being lighter and cheaper – two important qualities for battery-powered vehicles.

Engineered for a program called Project Eve that aims to aid Canadian firms produce electric vehicles and components, the Darren McKeage-designed cannabis car will undergo prototyping and testing later this month. Hit the jump for Calgary News broadcast discussing the new composite, including footage with company president Nathan Armstrong.

[Sources: Motive Industries, Calgary News]

The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience.