German Manufacturer Develops Most Environmentally Friendly SUV

German company Evolution is building an SUV called the Space, which is claimed to be the most eco-friendly vehicle. The SUV is expected to last for 50 years and comes with sustainable features.

German manufacturer Evolution is building what it claims to be the most environmentally friendly SUV. The Space, a cross-over between an off-roader and a van, should last 50 years, more than five times as long as the average age of passenger cars in Germany. The Aachen-based company is focusing on standardisation and durable chassis in production to ensure the vehicle remains up to date with regular updates and upgrades every five years. The modernisation is to take place in the in-house “Re-Assembly” factory and give the seven-seater a significantly longer service life than other cars.

The Space uses a relatively small lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 40 kWh, which is installed flat in the underbody, allowing the SUV to travel just 150 kilometers. However, a solar roof is optionally available, in addition to a removable folding sliding compartment. The electricity for the battery can be generated by means of a fuel cell. Until the drive technology is mature, an internal combustion engine operated with LPG as a so-called range extender should make it possible to travel longer distances, delivering an additional range of 600 kilometers.

Technically, the car, which is around 4.1 to 4.92 meters long and 1.92 meters wide, uses all-wheel drive with a 190 hp engine on each axle. The top speed is 180 km/h, then the engine shuts down. Large wheel lock angles at the front and the ability to steer with the rear wheels should make the Space easier to control than other SUVs and vans. The result should be "sporty and safe" driving behaviour.

Inside the vehicle, there is a continuous glass display on the dashboard intended to provide the driver with driving information and at the same time provide entertainment for the passenger. The seats are also designed for sustainability, with a covering of renewable natural fibers resulting in a long service life. The seat structure allows the interior to be regularly upgraded with new upholstery and fabric instead of replacing the seat. In order to save costs, Evolution wants to do without press shops and painting lines and use an open-source system. Many control devices are to be replaced by a central computer, and a uniform communication system should work in the vehicle.

The Space has not yet been released, but Evolution founder Günther Schuh claims it is the most eco-friendly vehicle currently. Schuh, who is also the founder of car manufacturer e.Go Mobile and Streetscooter, which later became the property of Deutsche Post and equipped the Bonn-based group's fleet with electric vehicles, has experience in vehicle construction.

Evolution also presented a prototype of an electric shuttle with up to seven seats last June, named Meta, which companies should be able to subscribe to, in order to offer their employees a free ride to the office and back. It also has four office spaces, which should combine travel and work. In addition, the use of the Meta should avoid traffic jams and make large company car parks superfluous. Like the Space, components of the shuttle vehicle should be able to be exchanged and updated.

SUVs have gained great popularity but are controversial due to their size and weight, which makes them partly responsible for climate change. The Space aims to prove that an SUV can be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Evolution wants to focus on standardisation and durable chassis in production to ensure the vehicle remains up to date with regular updates and upgrades every five years, making it the most eco-friendly vehicle currently.

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