Are composite pickup trucks in our future?
Transportation design firm Motive Industries released sketches of what a pickup made of composite material could look like.
The Bison midsize composite pickup concept designed by Motive Industries.
(Credit: Motive Industries)Transportation design firm Motive Industries released computer-generated images of what a pickup made of composite material could look like.
The Bison is a midsize truck concept with the the cargo capacity of a full-size Ford F-series, according to Motive. Constructed of carbon fiber composite, the Bison offers a 50 percent weight savings over a steel truck without sacrificing strength.
The same chassis could be used with conventional gas or diesel engines, and it can also accommodate a hybrid, electric, or fuel cell power train, according to Motive. The flexible platform and body design would make it an attractive option for automotive manufactures looking for a truck to produce and sell globally.
Motive Industries helped design and construct the now defunct Aptera 2e. The electric three-wheeler had a composite shell that was reportedly so strong you couldn't dent the body with a hammer. The Canadian-based company also made headlines with its biocomposite electric car made from hemp mats.
