Want greener EVs? Add plant-based 'leather': Vicki von Holzhausen

Vicki von Holzhausen, a former auto designer, envisions a greener future for electric vehicles, leaning on materials sourced from bamboo and bananas for interiors. Her Malibu-based company specialises in plant-based vegan leather, initially for accessories and now expanding into various industries, including fashion, furniture, aerospace, and automobiles.

In an interview, von Holzhausen shared plans for her company's plant-based materials to debut in production vehicles from multiple manufacturers in the coming years, aimed at creating sustainable, animal-free alternatives for vehicle interiors.

While EV companies like Tesla and Fisker have embraced non-leather options, traditional automakers have been slower to adopt these innovations. Fisker emphasised the enthusiasm among customers for vegan interior choices and the alignment of these options with their brand ethos.

One-of-a-kind vehicles showcasing von Holzhausen's materials, like Tesla's Model S Plaid and the Cupra Dark Rebel concept by Seat, provide glimpses into the potential application of these biodegradable vegan materials in the automotive realm.

Von Holzhausen's company continually explores sustainable material frontiers, introducing Replant, a farm-to-fabric material crafted from recycled plant fibres sourced from agricultural waste, particularly bananas.

Despite the success of material innovation, von Holzhausen observes a lag in the auto industry's adoption of sustainable materials, with consumers displaying more interest in eco-friendly alternatives than automakers. She believes there's immense potential for these plant-based materials beyond just vehicle seating, envisioning a broader application across various car components.

With a background in automotive design and experience at top car studios, von Holzhausen aims to expedite the transition from conventional plastic to eco-conscious materials in vehicles, viewing it as a necessary step towards a more sustainable future.

(With Reuters Inputs)