Eco-design: a strategic choice

At Arsène, eco-design isn’t just a slogan. It’s how we choose every material and process to reduce our environmental impact while ensuring performance, durability, and reliability.

At the heart of our approach are three complementary materials : bamboo, steel, and flax.1¹

The European objective (following COP22) is to reduce transport-related emissions by 90% between 1990 and 2050… and we are nowhere near it !

Electric mobility can only work if we reduce the impact of its production.

Bamboo : natural strength and durability²

Bamboo is a natural material with exceptional properties:

High mechanical strength

Some species reach 200 MPa in tensile strength, rivaling lightweight steels.

Bamboo : stronger than steel, robust and renewable

Lightweight and efficient

Lighter than steel, yet incredibly strong. Ideal for solid, durable structures.

Density Steel: 7,300 kg/m³ / Bamboo: 700 kg/m³

Renewable and fast-growing

MOSO giant bamboo, perfectly suited to the European climate (especially in the south), can grow up to 1 meter per day. In just a few months, it reaches its full height up to 30 meters. In under 5 years, it reaches full maturity and is ready to use after less than 3 months of drying.

According to Nath, A. J. et al. (2015), the average rate of carbon storage and sequestration in the above-ground biomass of managed Phyllostachys edulis bamboo forests in Japan is 138 Mg1.ha. According to the same study, managed bamboo stands absorb between 6 and 13 Mg·ha⁻¹·year⁻¹. Meanwhile, sustainable bamboo production can yield up to 7 tonnes of dry culms per hectare per year.

With sustainable production, and for a final product lifespan exceeding 5 years, this would result in a negative “carbon footprint” of −13 / 7 = −1.8 t CO₂eq per tonne of bamboo produced.

By comparison, producing one tonne of steel from iron ore emits around 2.5 tonnes of CO₂ globally. For aluminium, the carbon footprint exceeds 8 tonnes, and for plastics, 6 tonnes (source: ArcelorMittal).

Bamboo enables the creation of strong, durable, and eco-friendly structures, perfectly suited to automotive eco-design.

Steel : safety and versatility

Steel complements bamboo by providing :

• Rigidity and modularity for precise assemblies

• Safety and durability in high-stress areas, particularly in engineered crumple zones for passive safety (front crash box)

• Versatility to adapt the vehicle to a variety of uses

Bamboo + steel : a perfect balance

By combining bamboo and steel, Arsène creates a functional, durable, and reliable vehiclev :

• Bamboo ensures strength and natural durability,
• Steel provides precision and chassis adaptability.

Flax : body panels

Flax is used in composite body panels and selected interior parts:

• Résistance,
• Bio-based, with low environmental impact,
• Energy efficiency : a lighter vehicle uses less energy, whether it’s combustion or electric.

But we’ll cover this in a dedicated article there’s a lot to say !

In summary

At Arsène, eco-design means putting each material exactly where it belongs.

Bamboo, steel and linen embody this approach, shaping a vehicle that is durable, robust and respectful of its environment — built to last, and to move gracefully through everyday life.

These natural materials also bring a sense of nobility and elegance, echoing Arsène’s timeless style.

En savoir plus

Discover our eco-design approach : www.arsene-manufacture.com 
Follow the Arsène adventure on LinkedIn,  Facebook et Instagram. 

Join the Arsène CLUB. 

1. Source : parlement Européen / ADEME ↩︎
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33356105/ https://bambouscience.fr/fr/Innovations https://bambooju.com/blogs/le-journal/bambou-materiau-avenir-proprietes-green-steel ↩︎

A simple observation: our cars have become too heavy for our needs

Whether you live in the city or in suburban areas, the reality is the same :
we move around every day in cars that are far too heavy, too powerful… and too expensive.

And no : the shift to electric doesn’t solve everything!

A few numbers that speak for themselves¹

• Since 1990, the average weight of new vehicles in France has increased by nearly 30%. 
• Between 2019 and 2024, new car prices rose by 41%.
• 74% of French people travel an average of 46 km per day, across 3 daily trips, all within 80 km of their home.
• Individual transport accounts for 22% of greenhouse gas emissions in France, up 3% since 1990. For lower-income households, 20% of the budget is spent on cars. 
• The very small vehicle segment (A-segment) has almost disappeared: 4 models in 2015 (C1, 108, Aygo, fortwo)… 0 in 2025.
• Local authorities spend €15 billion per year on road maintenance, driven by increasing traffic and heavier vehicles.

The problem is no longer invisible : the car has become disproportionate.

Nearly 2 tons to travel just a few kilometers… often alone in the car. 

In urban and suburban areas alike, this oversizing leads to :

• A lack of parking,
• High running costs,
• Strong energy dependence,
• Significant environmental impact

Faced with this reality, one thing becomes clear :

It’s time to rethink everyday mobility. Lighter. Simpler. More logical.

The Arsène micro-vehicle: a third way

Since COVID-19 and the rise of hybrid work, as well as the emergence of neo-rural lifestyles, our territories have changed.
Urban and suburban households are now looking for an affordable and clean alternative to the “second car.”
And new generations are demanding more meaning, sustainability and elegance in their choices including in mobility.

Between the overly exposed scooter and the overly heavy car, the micro-car opens up a coherent path finally suited to everyday life.

In recent years, habits have been changing: electric bikes, scooters, hoverboards… alternatives are multiplying.
The need has never been clearer : compact, affordable, and responsible solutions.

This is where the Arsène micro-car naturally comes in :

• More compact for the city,
• More economical for peri-urban areas,
• More eco-responsible.

What does Arsène really solve?

A small, lightweight micro-car designed to meet real everyday needs :

Compact : 290 cm × 145 cm × 135 cm

Weight : under 350 kg

• 80–150 km of range,
• Seats 1 or 2,
• Designed for urban and peri-urban areas,
• Up to 10× lower running costs than a combustion car,
• With an enclosed cabin for comfort and safety.

What about charging?

Simple : a standard home outlet is all you need.
Less than 2 hours to go from empty to full.
No fast charger. No costly installation. No complexity.

Range designed for real life!

In short : a clear problem. A logical solution.

All of it with style, character, and sensation.
Because moving should feel good again.

Discover more

Discover our eco-design approach : www.arsene-manufacture.com 
Follow the Arsène adventure on LinkedIn,  Facebook et Instagram.  

Join the CLUB. 

1. http://automobile-propre.com, http://reseauactionclimat.org, http://Caradisiac.com, Le Monde, Insee / SDES, Parlement européen / ADEME, observatoire-map.org, Parlement européen / ADEME, 
   http://carlabelling.ademe.fr/chiffrescles/r/evolutionMasseMoyenne ↩︎

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