Most news we hear about cars focuses on the manufacturing or design end of things – meaning how the latest and greatest vehicle is more fuel efficient, faster, greener, more spacious, etc. However, the latest news from the Toyota Prius plant is something completely different altogether. A team of engineers recently devised a new and unique way to green up the inside of their two Toyota City, Japan manufacturing plants, by using genetically engineered flowers to absorb greenhouse gases.

The flowers are specifically engineered to absorb nitrogen oxides and remove heat from the atmosphere. According to Fast Company, “Toyota’s flowers are derivatives of cherry sage and gardenia that effectively absorb nitrogen oxides and remove heat from the atmosphere.” The absorbed gases lower surface temperatures around the factory grounds–which means less energy used on cooling the plant.

What is even more amazing is the unique way the genetically engineered plant actually cleans the air. According to Drive.com, “The sage derivative’s leaves have unique characteristics that absorb harmful gases, while the gardenia’s leaves create water vapor in the air, both which help reduce the surface temperature of the factory surroundings. This reduces the energy needed overall for cooling and produces less carbon dioxide (CO2).”

As one of the most well-known alternative fuel vehicles, the Prius is generally praised for its energy efficient design and is a popular customer favorite. However, Toyota has also received backlash about their manufacturing process being more damaging to the environment than regular vehicle production, especially when it comes to mining the materials for the batteries. Although Toyota admits the process for making the Prius is a bit more CO2 intensive, they insist that the “deficit” was evened out out after the first year of production, and denies these latest actions are an effort to improve their environmental image.

Whatever the motivations reasons behind these genetically engineered flowers, the idea is really interesting and innovative. Perhaps it shows another way other manufacturers can help to do their part in counter-acting the side effects of their production for their workers, as they continue to “green up” their manufacturing processes externally as well.

Katrina Pfannkuch
Buzzword Communications, LLC

About the author: Katrina Pfannkuch is a writer, Reiki Master and entrepreneur who lives to write and create. She started Buzzword Communications to pursue her passion for excellence in communication and satisfy her entrepreneurial spirit.

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