Aluminum in Transportation: Research

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Auto aluminum content reached an all-time high at 8.6 percent of average vehicle curb weight in 2009, continuing almost 40 years of uninterrupted growth in North America.

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Research

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Auto & Light Truck

Commercial Vehicles

Transport Sector

Related Research

AUTO & LIGHT TRUCK

Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG)

Weight Savings Study: Analyzes the true weight savings potential of aluminum with gasoline and diesel powered vehicles
- Automotive Aluminum Weight Savings Benefits (PDF)

Safety Study: Evaluates how crashworthiness and crash compatibility would be affected if a vehicle's weight was reduced or remained constant, but its size was maintained or increased
- Automotive Safety: Size vs. Weight Debate (PDF)

Electric Vehicle Study: Evaluates the impact of vehicle weight reduction on electric vehicle performance, range and battery size
- Electric Vehicle Study - Executive Summary (PDF)
- Electric Vehicle Study - Full Report (PDF)

Powertrain Study: Reviews the fuel efficiency and total life cost of aluminum and steel in hybrid and diesel vehicles
- Advantages of Automotive Aluminum and Advanced Powertrains (PDF)

Cost Study: Analyzes the cost different between aluminum and steel components when taking the fuel savings of a gasoline-powered vehicle into account
- Auto Aluminum as a Cost Effective Technology (PDF)

Growth Studies: Illustrate steady growth in use of aluminum in automotive applications for almost 40 years and the long-term worldwide growth of aluminum content expected to continue in automotive applications
- 2011 Auto Aluminum Growth - North American Report (PDF)
- 2009 Auto Aluminum Growth - Worldwide Report (PDF)
- 2009 Auto Aluminum Growth - North American Report (PDF)

European Aluminum Association (EAA)

Strength and Stiffness Study: Analyzes 26 automotive components to assess the further potential or limits of weight reduction for both steel and aluminum
- Stiffness & Crash Relevance (PDF)

Emissions Report: Position of the European aluminum industry on CO₂ and cars: Aluminum in Cars (PDF)

Third-Party Research

Lifecycle Study: “Cradle-to-grave” comparison of the energy and potential environmental impacts of advanced magnesium based front end parts with the standard carbon steel or aluminum based design
- Magnesium Front End Research Development (MFRED): A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Magnesium Front End Autoparts (PDF)

Mass Reduction Studies:
- International Council on Clean Transportation: Lightweight Materials and Safety (PDF)
  - Advanced materials can decouple size from mass, creating important new possibilities for simultaneously improving both fuel economy and safety without compromising functionality
- Lotus Engineering, Inc.: An Assessment of Mass Reduction Opportunities For A 2017-2020 Model Year Vehicle Program (PDF)
  - Identifies potential mass reduction opportunities for a baseline vehicle at both “low development” and “high development” levels

COMMERCIRAL VEHICLE

Aluminum Transportation Group (ATG)

Weight Savings Study: Examines fuel efficiency impact of downweighting Class 8 trucks and trailers, based on the simulation of three different configurations of vehicles, payload conditions and the major drive cycles representing commercial transportation in the U.S.
- Vehicle Weight Impact for Class 8 Trucks Study - Executive Summary (PDF)
- Vehicle Weight Impact for Class 8 Trucks Study - Full Report (PDF)

European Aluminum Association

Recycling Studies: Evaluates better current and future end-of-life treatment of aluminum parts coming from commercial vehicles
- Truck Recycling - 2009 Report (PDF)
- Truck Recycling - 2006 Report (PDF)

Road Applications Report: Compilation of basic information on the applications and development of aluminum in road transport: Aluminum in Commercial Vehicles (PDF)

Fact Sheet: Alumnium in Trucks, Trailers and Buses (PDF)

TRANSPORT SECTOR

European Aluminum Association (EAA)

Transport Benefits Report: Analysis of the wide spectrum of aluminum’s advantages for use in road transport, which explains how aluminum helps to cope with rising diesel price, taxation, environmental issues and road safety concerns, Moving up to Aluminum: The Future of Road Transport (PDF)

Fact Sheet: Information on air, marine, rail, auto and commercial vehicle aluminum applications, Aluminum in Transport (PDF)

International Aluminum Institute (IAI)

Lifecycle Study: Closely examines the lifecycle benefits/costs of using aluminum components in transport applications
- Full study (PDF)
- Fact sheet (PDF)

Energy Studies: Analyzes the potential for energy savings by lightweighting
- IFEU Lightweighting Report 1 (PDF)
- IFEU Lightweighting Report 2 (PDF)

RELATED RESERACH

European Aluminum Association (EAA)

Industry Sustainability Study: The report analyzes the aluminum industry based on more than 30 measurable Sustainable Development Indicators (SDIs)
- 2010 Sustainability report (PDF)

The Aluminum Association (AA)

Industry Sustainability Study: The report highlights the improvements in efficiency, lower emission and green products over the past 20 years in North America.
- The Element of Sustainability (PDF)