Ford has unveiled a prototype version of the Focus Energi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) which intends to be ‘Green’ inside out. The automaker has teamed up with Coca Cola to bring soda giant’s PlantBottle technology, which was introduced in 2009 as the first-ever recyclable PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottle and uses up to 30 percent plant-based materials for beverage packaging, to the interior of the research vehicle. The seat cushions, seat backs, head restraints, door panel inserts and headliners all have been made using the PlantBottle technology. Ford is the first company to use this technology beyond packaging to create fiber that can be woven into durable, automotive grade PET fabric from PlantBottle material.


The two companies started working on this project last year with their research teams coming together to explore innovation for sustainable products. According to Ford, Coke’s PlantBottle derived materials can save the automaker four million pounds of petroleum-derived materials as well as the equivalent of 295,000 gallons of gasoline and 6,000 barrels of oil if it were to be used in majority of its U.S. lineup. The prototype Ford Fusion Energi will be on display at the 2013 Los Angeles Motor Show that kicks-off tomorrow.

[Ford]