The European Aluminum Association in conjunction with Knibb, Gormezano & Partners (KGP) recently released the results of a study based on the analysis of aluminum use in the 15 million cars produced in Europe in 2005 and investigates 20 body components, 17 chassis and suspension components and 25 powertrain components. The data came from automotive companies and suppliers, EAA member companies and past data from KGP.
The study shows the amount of aluminum used in new European cars increased from 50 kilograms in 1990 to 132 kilograms in 2005 and is expected to increase by another 25 kilograms by 2010. In 2005, two million tons of aluminum components were put on European roads in new passenger cars. The achieved weight savings will lead to an annual fuel saving of 1 billion liters and will save roughly 40 million tons of CO2 emissions over the life span of the vehicles.
The study focuses on different aluminum semi-materials – castings, extrusions, forgings and sheets. In the car body, the largest quantity of components made from aluminum is air conditioning systems, bonnets, bumper beams and steering columns. Aluminum parts in the chassis and suspension section of the cars are mainly wheels, suspension arms and steering components. Cylinder heads, cylinder blocks, engine covers, pumps and radiators represent the majority of aluminum components in the drivetrain of new cars. Today, a growing amount of aluminum is being used in particular in closures, body structure and chassis applications, improving also automotive safety and performance.
Roland Harings, chairman of the EAA Automotive Board said "Europe is leading the way in innovative use of aluminum in cars. As 100 kilograms of aluminum on a car can reduce CO2 emissions per kilometer by 9 grams, and even 10 grams if fuel production is considered, aluminum as material for lightweighting cars has a clear advantage. With the continual introduction of new technologies delivering further advantages in the design and manufacturing processes, the trend to increase the amount of aluminum per car will continue. Aluminum will certainly play an important role in future generations of sustainable cars".
The European Aluminum Association, founded in 1981, represents the European aluminum industry from alumina and primary production to semi-finished and end-use products, through to recycling. The European aluminum industry directly employs about 236,000 people.
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