Toyota plans eco plastic interiors for 2009 cars

Toyota has announced plans to add carbon neutral plant-based plastics to future car interiors. The Japanese car maker hopes that its new 'Ecological Plastic' materials will account for 60 per cent of interior components in selected cars, including plant-dervied polyester for sun visors and kenaf fibre for door trims.

The Ecological Plastics will combine bioplastics and conventional petroleum-based plastics, with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint emitted during the car's lifecycle. The company claims the eco interiors are equal to standard plastics "in terms of quality and productivity."

Back in 2003, Toyota launched the Raum car in Japan, which featured interior parts made from 100 per cent plant-based plastics, but it's yet to launch a similar model in the UK.

Toyota UK told BusinessGreen.com that the new Ecological Plastic interior will appear in its new hybrid vehicle next year. Although Toyota wouldn't confirm the exact model, the car in question is highly likely to be the third generation Prius hybrid, which was leaked online in October 2008 and is due to be officially debut in January 2009 at the Detroit Motor Show.

Earlier this year Toyota also expanded its low carbon drive in the UK by launching a trial of its plug-in Prius.