Alcoa: Worldwide: Markets: Automotive: Automotive Lightweighting

Aluminum will be greenhouse gas neutral by 2030

In the critical transportation industry, our research in lifecycle modeling has shown that by 2030 the emissions of the entire aluminum industry can be offset by the potential emission savings from the transport sector's increased use of aluminum.

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Aluminum’s Lifecycle Value in the Transportation Industry Helping to OffsetGHG Production

Lightweightingand recycling make a difference Replacing 2 lbs. of steel with 1 lb. of aluminum in a car saves 20 lbs. of CO2 emissions over the life of the car 60% of aluminum used in automobiles is from recycled aluminum		Click image to enlarge.
A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Magnesium Front End Autoparts

Detroit (April 13, 2010)—The Magnesium Front End Research and Development (MFERD) project under the sponsorship of Canada, China and USA aims to develop key technologies and a knowledge base for increased use of magnesium in automobile. Furthermore, the LCA results for aluminum based front end autopart are presented. While weight savings result in reductions in energy use and carbon dioxide emissions during the use of the car, the impacts of fabrication and recycling of lightweight materials are substantial in regard to steel. View Abstract: “A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Magnesium Front End Autoparts" Paper (65 KB PDF) Download White Paper at SAE website (paper no. 2010-01-0275) [10k] View press release
Alcoa Executive Emphasizes Aluminum Advantages for Commercial Vehicle Market at SAE Conference

Illinois (October 6, 2009)—Low weight aluminum offers real-world fuel economy and emissions benefits to manufacturers of commercial vehicles. That was the key message Todd Summe, Division Manager, Product Design & Development for Alcoa, told attendees at the SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering & Exhibition recently. Fleet and owner operators want increased payload, better fuel economy and reduced emissions – aluminum delivers on all fronts. Download “The Aluminum Advantage: Commercial Vehicle Applications” Presentation slides (1.7 MB PDF) View press release
Greater Aluminium Use Will Lower Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions Worldwide, New Study Confirms

Dalian, China (July 26, 2007)—The world aluminium industry reported today that the application of automotive aluminium in passenger cars manufactured in 2006 will lead to potential global savings of approximately 140 million tons of CO2 equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and to energy savings equivalent to about 60 billion litres of crude oil over the lifecycle of these vehicles. Download presentation by Alcoa Asia-Pacific president Jinya Chen These energy savings and emissions reduction numbers were included in a presentation by Marlen Bertram, IAI research associate, at the 2007 China Aluminium & Transportation Conference in Dalian, China, entitled "Improving Sustainability in the Transport Sector Through Weight Reduction and the Application of Aluminium" Read the complete news announcement from from the Aluminum Association, EAA and IAI Download the complete report Download an Excel-based lifecycle analysis model (WinZip)		Click image to enlarge.
Scientific study shows the environmental benefits of lightweighting road and rail vehicles

"Energy Savings by Light-Weighting" IFEU - Institut für Energie und Umweltforschung Heidelberg GmbH Commissioned by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) This study provides an overview on the potential lifetime energy and CO₂ savings accomplished by reducing the weight of transportation vehicles, with a special focus on road and rail. view a summary graph read the introduction download the report (PDF, 736 KB) download supplemental IFEU presentation on energy savings in European articulated trucks (PDF, 389 KB)
Scientific study shows the environmental benefits of lightweighting marine and air transportation

"Energy Savings by Light-Weighting -- Part II" IFEU - Institut für Energie und Umweltforschung Heidelberg GmbH Commissioned by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) This study supplements and follows up Part I with additional analysis on road and rail vehicles. It also provides an overview of potential lifetime energy and CO2 savings accomplished by lightweighting additional vehicles including planes, ferry boats, ocean vessels and light duty trucks. Finally, the study estimates the total potential impact of lightweighting on a global level. view a summary graph read the Executive Summary download the report (PDF, 736 KB)
Alcoa is leading the aluminium industry's efforts to make aluminium climate neutral.

Lightweighting Alcoa researchers have forecasted that with global projections for the use of aluminium in cars and trucks and the numbers of vehicles in use, aluminium will increasingly become part of the global climate change solution. The aluminium industry has the potential to reach a climate neutral state by 2017. This means the global warming impacts of aluminium production will be fully offset by the amount of carbon dioxide emissions saved by the use of aluminium in the transportation industry. download the report (PDF, 149 KB)