The Nano Cellulose Vehicle: Japan’s Recycled Plant Sportscar Concept
Regenerative Motion- The conversation around future mobility has slowly shifted from pure performance to responsibility, from speed alone to the story behind the materials that make a car exist. In that space between innovation and conscience, Japan introduced a fascinating idea that quietly challenged the automotive status quo. At the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, visitors encountered a compact sportscar concept that looked sharp and futuristic, yet was rooted in forests, farms, and recycling plants. This vehicle was called the Nano Cellulose Vehicle (NCV).
The Nano Cellulose Vehicle (NCV) is a Japanese sportscar made from recycled materials that was displayed at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. (Picture from: Carscoops)
The NCV represents a Japanese experiment in rethinking what a car can be made of, not just how it is powered. Instead of relying on familiar materials like steel, plastic, or carbon fiber, the project explored the use of Cellulose NanoFiber (CNF), a high-tech material derived from recycled plant matter and agricultural waste. This approach reframed sustainability as a structural philosophy, not merely an energy choice. The idea was simple but radical: build a car whose very bones come from renewable and recycled sources.
The Nano Cellulose Vehicle (NCV) project is developed by a consortium of 22 Japanese universities, research institutes, and major companies, and has been overseen by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment since 2016.(Picture from: Carscoops)
Behind this concept was not a single manufacturer acting alone, but a large collaborative effort. The NCVproject has been overseen by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment since 2016 and supported by a consortium involving 22 Japanese universities, research institutions, and major companies. This collective structure reflects how seriously Japan treats material innovation, positioning the car as a research platform rather than a commercial prototype chasing sales figures.
The Nano Cellulose Vehicle (NCV) features an interior dominated by wood materials, from the dashboard to the steering wheel.(Picture from: Carscoops)
Cellulose NanoFiber played a central role throughout the vehicle. According to reports cited by Carscoops, CNF replaces metal, plastic, glass, and carbon fiber in many areas. On the NCV, this material forms the body panels, including the doors, roof, hood, trunk, and even extends into the vehicle’s structural framework. The result is material efficiency on a remarkable level: CNF components are around 50 percent lighter than conventional materials, contributing to an overall vehicle weight reduction of roughly ten percent.
The Nano Cellulose Vehicle (NCV) uses recycled materials that are 50 percent lighter than those commonly used today.(Picture from: Telegrafi)
Despite its eco-driven mission, the NCV does not shy away from a bold visual identity. Yuzo Niimi from Toyota Customizing & Development, who was involved in the exterior design, described the car as having a sporty character defined by sharp lines and pronounced indentations. Butterfly-style doors add drama, while multi-spoke wheels and distinctive taillights subtly echo the design language ofthe Chrysler ME Four-Twelve, givingthe NCVan unexpected global design reference.
Inside, the sustainability narrative continues without sacrificing character. The cabin is finished entirely in wood, creating a warm contrast to the car’s futuristic exterior. The steering wheel features a minimalist two-bar design and integrates the gear shifter directly into its structure, reinforcing the idea that form, function, and material choice can coexist without excess. | 48ZLgxbD8nE | c66oEtSKFnU |
Technically, the NCVremains intentionally restrained. It uses hydrogen fuel cells as its energy source and produces relatively low emissions, though performance was never the priority. With a top speed limited to around 20 kilometers per hour, the car exists more as a statement than a solution. What it ultimately asks is whether the automotive industry, long comfortable with metal and plastic, is willing to rethink its foundations. The Nano Cellulose Vehicle does not provide all the answers, but it proves that a different starting point is already possible.*** [EKA [03112019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | MASHABLE | TELEGRAFI ]
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The Nano Cellulose Vehicle: Japan’s Recycled Plant Sportscar Concept
Technically, the NCV remains intentionally restrained. It uses hydrogen fuel cells as its energy source and produces relatively low emissions, though performance was never the priority. With a top speed limited to around 20 kilometers per hour, the car exists more as a statement than a solution. What it ultimately asks is whether the automotive industry, long comfortable with metal and plastic, is willing to rethink its foundations. The Nano Cellulose Vehicle does not provide all the answers, but it proves that a different starting point is already possible. *** [EKA [03112019] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | MASHABLE | TELEGRAFI ]
