By Frank Markus
Between the use of 50 percent recycled aluminum in the chassis and making interior panels and seats out of hemp fibers, recycled water bottles and the like, the lifetime global warming potentialof the fully electric i3 is said to be a third less than that of a similar diesel 1-series hatch. That drops to half if recharged using renewable electricity. The Leipzig plant that will build the i3 will also consume 70 percent less water per vehicle and run on 100 percent renewable energy.