Ruling strengthens case for reducing vehicle weight.
Press Release Summary:
Reacting to Supreme Court ruling that EPA can regulate auto emissions associated with global warming, Aluminum Association, Inc. noted that application of lightweight materials, along with other advanced technologies, could help reduce emissions. Nearly 90% of automotive aluminum is recovered and recycled, saving nearly 95% of CO2 associated with primary aluminum production. Aluminum can be used to maintain or increase size of vehicle's crumple zones without increasing overall weight.
Original Press Release:
Top Court GHG Ruling Strengthens Case for Lightweighting in Autos
Aluminum Sets the Standard for Others to Follow
Washington, D.C., April 5, 2007 - Reacting to this week's Supreme Court ruling that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can regulate auto emissions associated with global warming, The Aluminum Association, Inc. noted that the application of light weight materials, along with other advanced technologies, represents an excellent option to help automakers reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Lighter cars and trucks consume less fuel and produce fewer tailpipe emissions which are linked to global warming. Clean diesel, ethanol, hybrids and even fuel cells all offer incredible potential, and lightweight materials such as aluminum can greatly enhance each of these promising technologies. Among material options, high strength, low weight aluminum is well positioned to help automakers improve the fuel economy and environmental performance of their products," said Steve Larkin, President of the Aluminum Association, Inc.
The application of automotive aluminum has increased uninterrupted for more than three decades. Last year, aluminum surpassed iron to become the second most used automotive material worldwide. With the world's automakers and policymakers striving for even more greenhouse gas reductions, the aluminum industry expects to compete aggressively and successfully for new and advanced applications well into the future.
According to Larkin, "In today's environment, competition for lower weight materials will be even more spirited. Our colleagues in the steel industry have acknowledged the importance that lightweight materials must play in the future. We welcome them to a position that the aluminum industry has occupied for more than three decades."
Aluminum's environmental performance
Vehicles made lighter with aluminum can achieve better fuel economy while reducing tailpipe emissions associated with global warming. Over the average life of a vehicle, these benefits more than compensate for the greenhouse gas emissions associated with aluminum production. This will deliver a net reduction in those gases and significantly advance the aluminum industry's initiative that aims to be greenhouse gas neutral by 2020.
Nearly 90 percent of automotive aluminum is currently recovered and recycled.
Recycling aluminum saves nearly 95 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) associated with primary aluminum production and requires only about five percent of the energy. This is a distinct advantage over other materials as nearly 60 percent of aluminum used in today's vehicles is sourced from recycled aluminum.
Aluminum's safety performance
Since aluminum is strong, yet light, it can be used to maintain or even increase the size of a vehicle's crumple zones without increasing overall weight. Weight reduction can be achieved without the need to produce smaller vehicles. Pound for pound, aluminum absorbs more crash energy than steel. Aluminum folds predictably in a crash, allowing the vehicle, not the passengers, to absorb more of the force.
"Automakers will always opt for the best material in a given application. From reduced emissions and better gas mileage, to better crash energy absorption and the highest recycling rates, aluminum offers outstanding value for a wide-range of applications. Lightweighting with aluminum - coupled with smart design and other advanced technologies - can help automakers meet increasingly stricter fuel, emissions, and safety requirements," according to Larkin.
The Aluminum Association's Auto & Light Truck Group (ALTG) communicates the benefits of automotive aluminum to help accelerate its market penetration through research programs and related outreach activities. Its mission is to serve member companies and act as a central resource for the automotive industry on aluminum issues. Member companies include: Alcan, Inc., Alcoa, Inc., Aleris International, Inc., Aluminum Precision Products, Inc., ARCO Aluminum Inc., Indalex Aluminum Solutions, Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, and Novelis, Inc.
Contact:
John Fitzpatrick
202.289.2001
