Aluminum Assn. says lighter cars would be cheaper
Aluminum bodies could cut stored energy needs by 10%
Tom Stundza -- Purchasing, 10/26/2009 9:54:08 AM
If automakers use more aluminum and less steel in hybrid and electric-powered vehicles, they could cut the vehicle price to consumers by $3,000 per vehicle, according to a new study conducted by the Aluminum Association.
Currently, about 10% of an average two-ton motor vehicle's body is constructed of aluminum, with the rest made of steel. The heaviest vehicle in the association's study with technical research firm Ricardo was 4,008 lb, while the lightest was 1,379.
Representing the Aluminum Association at the Center for Automotive Research's recent conference in Detroit, Michael Bull, director of automotive technology for aluminum producer Novelis, says there is universal acknowledgment that making cars and trucks lighter would increase their fuel efficiency and cut costs by reducing the battery energy requirements.
"By upgrading from traditional steel to an advanced aluminum body structure, the vehicle's stored energy requirements can be cut by about 10%, which could save up to $3,000 per vehicle since less power and energy is required to move the lighter vehicle," Bull says in a statement. "Lowering the vehicle's weight with aluminum (would be) part of a holistic approach to also include advanced power trains and batteries, enhanced thermal management, improved aerodynamics and reduced rolling resistance."
However, The U.S. automotive sector will see three more years of poor sales before registering a recovery in 2013, according to members of the Aluminum Association's Aluminum Transportation Group surveyed at the group's recent annual meeting by AMM.com. They suggest it will be 2013-2014 before the light vehicle sector sees sales of 14 million units, up from an estimated 10.4 million this year. The average annual sales between 2000 and 2008 were 16.8 million units.
Now Playing: 