Kia EVs to feature mushroom roots

Kia has developed a replacement for plastic that is grown rather than manufactured as part of a sustainability push for its future family of electric cars.

As part of the brand’s latest push to reduce its environmental impact, the inside of the table for the centre console of the Kia EV3 concept is made of Mycelium, which is grown from mushroom roots.

“Using Mycelium enables us to mimic the processes we see in nature and leverage it to design more sustainable solutions – the material can be grown in any shape you want using a mold,” says Marilia Biill, Kia’s head of CMF design.

“The use of Mycelium is still at a very early stage and, as part of Kia’s Sustainability Strategy, we are working with partners to accelerate development of the material.

“One day, by growing our own materials, we’ll be able to simplify processes, adapt forms and most importantly, be closer to nature in its essence.”

Biill says that while Mycelium is not yet ready for mass production, the company is not far off finding a solution to growing it on a commercial scale.

While the material is already used in the fashion industry, a primary focus for Kia has been further testing and development so it can put up with the rigours and longer life expectancy of being in a car.

The use of Mycelium in concept cars flags Kia’s desire to reduce the use of plastics that can not only be poor from a CO2 perspective during the manufacturing process, but also require the use of harsh chemicals.

The company has also teamed up with Ocean Cleanup to explore how plastics recovered from the ocean can be used in applications such as carpet and interior plastics.

The eco push from Kia also applies to colours for materials and trims. 

In the EV4 concept Kia used the colours from madder roots and walnut shells to dye recycled cotton.

The EV4’s centre console is also partly made of hemp fibres, something Kia says is “highly mouldable, which means it is a very versatile material to work with”.

The company also points out the relative ease with which hemp grows, adding to its environmental credentials.

The move to develop new materials also flows beyond trim items.

Seats in the EV3 are made of a natural fibre designed to offer the strength and visual appeal of carbon-fibre but with sustainable materials that reduce the environmental impact during the manufacturing process.

Describing it as “exceptionally strong”, Kia also says it allows for a slimmer seat – therefore maximising occupant space –

 that is lighter weight than traditional metals currently commonly used.

The seats themselves have been trimmed in 3D Knit, which Kia says can be manufactured with zero waste. The innovative fabric has a soft texture with prominent bulges and patterns that can be tailored to the car and customer tastes.

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