Alcoa and Aluminum Play Major Role in New EPA/NHTSA Effort To Reduce GHG Emissions and Increase Fuel Efficiency

 

　　The final rules call for trucks and buses built in 2014 through 2018 to reduce oil consumption by a projected 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by approximately 270 million metric tons. The rules cite many levers that can be used to achieve the goals, including the increased use of lightweight materials such as aluminum. In fact, cited in the final rules is a study conducted by Alcoa that shows the potential to save 3,500 to 4,500 pounds across a tractor-trailer combination through the increased use of aluminum in frame rails, wheels, and fifth wheels.

 

　　The new rules go on to say, “…the DOE reviewed prospective light-weighting alternative materials and found that aluminum has potential to reduce mass by 40-60%, which is in line with the estimates…provided by Alcoa and the Aluminum Association” (page 101 of rules).

 

　　The agencies also reviewed the use of many alternative materials to help improve fuel efficiency and lower GHG emissions. “Based on this analysis, the agencies developed an expanded list of weight reduction opportunities for the final rulemaking (table 11-9).” The table shows nearly 30 technologies and the potential weight savings of each using aluminum or steel. In nearly each instance the savings from aluminum is at least twice that of steel and in some instances the benefits of aluminum are five times those of steel.

 

　　For example using aluminum to develop frame rails for a truck, instead of the steel currently used, would save 440 pounds while using high-strength steel would save 87 pounds. And brake drums made of aluminum would save 140 pounds compared with 11 pounds of savings from steel.

 

　　“The goals to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency found in these new rules are obviously spot-on,” said Helmut Wieser, Alcoa Executive Vice President and Group President Alcoa Global Rolled Products and head of the Company’s Ground Transportation market team. “The good news for OEM’s, owners and operators is that there are safe technologies and solutions ready right now to help them achieve the targets.

 

　　“Aluminum is a key part of the solution. Just as with auto makers and their new fuel efficiency goals under CAF?, light weighting with aluminum is both a driver for meeting these goals, but also is an enabler for cost reduction through savings in other aspects of the vehicle such as drive trains.”