Italian Lego Certified Professional Riccardo Zangelmi has just unveiled his incredible creation at the Milan Design Week, an awe-inspiring model of a Kia EV6 made entirely from 350,000 Lego bricks. This life-size replica, built at the request of Kia Italy by BrickVision, is a testament to the future of sustainable mobility, and the idea that it is built “brick by brick.”
Despite the somewhat gimmicky PR angle, the model is undeniably impressive, featuring a functioning lighting system and a level of detail that is truly astonishing. The Brick To The Future project took 800 hours to complete, the equivalent of 100 workdays, and required a team of people to complete.
The model’s unveiling comes as Maserati wows crowds with several special art cars on display at the same event. However, it’s the Lego EV6 that’s stealing the show, with Kia explaining that every brick “emphasizes the striking and inspiring design of the EV6.”
While the idea of a Lego EV6 may seem like a bit of fun, the project highlights the significant challenges facing automakers as they strive towards sustainable mobility. The EV6 model may be made entirely of Lego bricks, but the core materials used to build real EVs are far from sustainable. Automakers are working hard to address these challenges, with Lego setting a course to become sustainable by 2030 and even prototyping recycled bricks.
However, the road to sustainable mobility is a long one, and the production of EVs is not without its own environmental concerns, such as lithium mining. The important thing to remember is that no technology comes fully formed out of the box. As the automotive industry works backward from emissions-free transport, progress will be made, but it will take time.
The Lego EV6 may be a gimmick, but it serves as a reminder that sustainable mobility is an idea built “brick by brick.”
