World's first photoshoot 'powered by plants' captures stunning images of new electric car
The world's first photoshoot 'powered by nature ' has taken place, showcasing a whole new way of producing energy. The creative project was carried out by Dutch research and design studio Nova Innova, in partnership with PEUGEOT. Specialist photographer George Williams was on hand to capture the first-of-its kind images, which will be displayed at London's Saatchi Gallery.
So how does this new way of creating energy work? This unique project transformed 'plant energy' into electricity to power the lighting for the stunning night photoshoot by tapping into the natural energy plants create while photosynthesising, the stage where plants use sunlight to grow.
During this process, plants produce organic waste that gets absorbed by the surrounding soil or water. Special bacteria in these environments naturally digest the waste, which releases tiny electrons.
To capture this green power, researchers placed microbial fuel cells in the soil, which collected the energy from the bacterial breakdown and stored it in batteries. These batteries were then utilised to provide the lighting for the unique photoshoot.
Ermi Van Oers, a spokesperson for Nova Innova, shared their excitement about the achievement: 'This first-of-its-kind shoot was a great way to show what's possible with our technology. In the future, we hope this method can be scaled up to power things like household appliances and even parts of vehicles."
They added: "It's been wonderful working alongside PEUGEOT, a company committed to sustainable innovation, to introduce this to a wider audience.'
Creating enough energy for the shoot was no small task. The team used 30 microbial fuel cells in total, powered by a variety of natural sources: organic waste from plants, 94 litres of water mixed with 188 litres of mud, and even old coffee grounds.
Nicola Dobson of PEUGEOT shed some light on the significance of this innovative photoshoot for the brand: "The world's first photoshoot powered by plant energy with the new E-5008 demonstrates PEUGEOT's dedication to embracing innovation and sustainable technology."
Nicola Dobson, a spokesperson for PEUGEOT, explained: 'The world 's first photoshoot powered by plant energy with the new E-5008 demonstrates PEUGEOT's dedication to embracing innovation and sustainable technology.'
The project comes as more drivers and consumers call for change. A recent study by PEUGEOT found that 70% of people value sustainability when making purchases, and over half (55%) are more likely to buy from brands focused on greener practices. Meanwhile, 58% of drivers say they expect car manufacturers to invest in environmentally-friendly technology.
By combining cutting-edge science with artistry, this 'powered by nature' shoot highlights a future where sustainability and innovation work hand in hand – and the possibilities are boundless.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Breakingviews - Tata's Iveco deal heeds lessons of its M&A past
MUMBAI, July 31 (Reuters Breakingviews) - The Tata group has a patchy record of overseas expeditions. Wednesday's all-cash 3.8 billion euros ($4.34 billion) agreed offer, opens new tab for Iveco's ( opens new tab non-defence businesses appears to avoid past M&A mistakes. The transaction will allow the conglomerate's $28 billion Tata Motors ( opens new tab to gain access to Europe without stretching its balance sheet, and returns look reasonable, too. Sure, the 5.8% average EBIT margin of the Iveco businesses Tata Motors is buying lags the acquirer's 9.1%. But the target's commercial-vehicle unit grew revenue almost 1% last year, per Visible Alpha. While hardly stellar, it's better than the roughly 5%, opens new tab drop suffered by the acquirer's top line. And the purchase will add a European presence to Tata's own trucks business, which is expected to be spun off by the end of December. It's also a tool for the Indian group, whose 2008 buyout of Jaguar Land Rover helped it develop India's top-selling electric car, to acquire the know-how key to achieving New Delhi's push to transition to battery-powered heavy vehicles. Some of Tata's previous overseas deals set a relatively low bar for success. It piled on leverage in its $12 billion buyout of Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus in 2007 and faced accusations of overpaying, to boot. Jaguar Land Rover only turned net-cash positive last financial year; slowing global growth and tariffs mean it's a mixed success, at best. Tata Motors' shares briefly dropped 2% after the deal announcement, reflecting fears the Indian truckmaker will borrow a heap more, months after its autos division turned net debt-free, opens new tab. Some of those concerns look unfounded. While Tata Motors' net debt will rise, it's likely to stay below 2 times one-year forward EBITDA, according to forecasts compiled by Visible Alpha. Its offer values Iveco's non-defence enterprise at just over 3 times its forecast operating income for the 2026 fiscal year, about one-third the multiple Motilal Oswal analysts ascribe to the acquirer's CV unit. Assuming the target's operating income rises to 1.48 billion euros by the 2028 fiscal year, as estimates gathered by Visible Alpha reckon, and applying a 27% tax rate, Tata Motors stands to earn a 16% return on invested capital, well over its 11.5% weighted average cost of capital, per LSEG. It's a sign the Tata group has learned painful yet valuable lessons from its past forays into cross-border takeovers. Follow Shritama Bose on Linkedin, opens new tab and X, opens new tab.
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Max Verstappen: Public statement issued as decision made on quitting Red Bull
Max Verstappen has decided to remain with Red Bull for the 2026 season, with the Dutchman reportedly having an exit clause in his contract if he wanted to leave Helmut Marko has confirmed that Max Verstappen will remain with Red Bull next season after the Dutchman chose to stick with his long-standing team. The four-time Formula 1 champion attracted attention from Mercedes, but decided against making the switch from Milton Keynes to Brackley in 2026. Verstappen's choice reportedly came over the course of the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, where he secured an unlikely Sprint race triumph before a fourth-placed finish behind the McLaren pair and Charles Leclerc during the main event on Sunday. According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Verstappen feels 'comfortable' with Red Bull's current setup and has been encouraged by his initial work with new team principal Laurent Mekies. The Frenchman took over after Christian Horner was axed after 20 years in charge. Even had Verstappen wished to depart Red Bull in 2025, any separation would have proved complicated. The current world champion's release clause would only have been triggered if he sat fourth or below in the drivers' championship by the summer break, but his performance at Spa-Francorchamps guarantees him third position. For the moment, however, the rumours can be put to rest. Speaking to in the Belgian GP paddock, Marko made it clear that he does not expect the team's star driver to be going anywhere before the 2026 season. "Yes, I can confirm that Max Verstappen will drive for Red Bull in 2026," he declared. This decision carries significant implications for his competitors as well, not least Mercedes who were the team most strongly linked with the Dutchman, if he decided to make a fresh start. With his main rival now out of the picture, George Russell is anticipated to pledge his long-term future to the Silver Arrows. Team boss Toto Wolff had previously left the door ajar for Verstappen, but with that option now off the table, contract discussions can move forward. A report from the Daily Mail following the Belgian GP suggests that Russell is nearing a multi-year extension worth £30million annually. This would place him amongst the highest-paid drivers on the grid, trailing only Verstappen and former team-mate Lewis Hamilton. It's difficult to dispute that the reported pay rise is anything but merited. Russell matched Hamilton stride for stride during their three years as team-mates, and has matured into the reliable team leader that Wolff had envisaged him becoming. Whether his Mercedes team-mate will achieve similar success is yet to be determined. Kimi Antonelli's debut season has been a story of two halves so far, and the Italian teenager is facing mounting pressure after six scoreless finishes in seven Grand Prix races. The 18-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and, unlike his team-mate Russell, there are currently no reports suggesting a new deal is imminent right now.
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Kris Meeke reveals the two things he's relying on to help banish his Rali Vinho da Madeira hoodoo
The 46-year-old makes his fifth start at the island-based event this evening, determined to banish past disappointments and return to the podium's top step with Stuart Loudon. Meeke's single best performance on Madeira came in 2009 during his Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) days when he finished fifth overall as a Peugeot UK-backed driver. Retirement beckoned the following year when his car developed an oil leak, followed by a bad accident in 2023 that left him injured, and a ten-minute time penalty last season. 'Madeira has not exactly been a happy place for me; the first time was in 2009 and it was tough,' said Meeke, who currently holds a slim five point lead over Armindo Araujo in the Portuguese Rally Championship points' standings after the opening five rounds. 'Since then, I have had two more attempts where, again, luck was not on my side. This year, however, I am bringing more experience and – above all – I am bringing a car that I love.' Meeke has quickly gelled with the GR Yaris Rally2 since his switch to it after two spells in a Hyundai i20 N Rally2, beginning the defence of his crown with three consecutive wins. Since then, late suspension damage meant he failed to finish Rally de Portugal and lost maximum points in the process, with a retrospective time penalty on last month's Rali de Castelo Branco handing the win to his close friend and rival, Dani Sordo. 'The GR Yaris Rally2 was incredible in Castelo Branco, perhaps even better on asphalt than on dirt,' said Meeke. 'Of course, I know that the Portuguese drivers know all of these stages very well, as they have been doing this race for 20 years, so the challenge will be enormous – but I am very happy to be back in Madeira and to give my all for a good result.' He added: 'It was really tough to lose in Castelo Branco like that, but I am very happy with the performance. The duel with Dani was excellent – he is one of the best asphalt drivers in the world – so I really had to give it my all to stay ahead of him. When the battle is like that, decided by tenths of a second on such fast stages, it is a real pleasure to compete.' Comprising 13 special stages, the first is the short Cidade do Funchal street stage this evening (7.30pm) followed by six on Friday and a further six on the Saturday.
