The European aluminium industry regrets that the Commission missed the opportunity to stop penalising lightweighting while it is essential for decarbonising mobility. The proposed regulation for post-2020 CO2 emission standards for cars and vans unfortunately still bases the targets on the mass of the vehicles.
Lighter cars and vans use less fuel and emit fewer emissions. Lightweighting vehicles using light materials like aluminium can therefore help to decouple growth in transport demand from an increase in CO2 emissions. European legislation, however, still penalises the use of lightweighting by using a flawed methodology in its proposed revision of the regulation on CO2 emission targets for cars and vans. Under the proposed regulation, heavier cars would still be allowed to emit more CO2 emissions than lighter cars.
“We are disappointed to see that the Commission’s proposed regulation still bases the CO2 targets on the mass of the vehicles. By not changing the methodology to the more technology-neutral footprint-based approach, investments made in lightening vehicles are not fully rewarded yet several studies have proven that this would have been the most cost-effective approach for vehicle manufacturers to reach their CO2 reduction objectives[1]”, reacted Patrik Ragnarsson, Senior Manager Automotive & Transport.
“We now hope to have constructive discussions with the Parliament and the Council and we will analyse the impact assessment in detail to understand why the Commission decided not to change the parameter despite all the evidence in favour of footprint.”
Using 100 kg of aluminium in a car reduces CO2 emissions by up to 8 grams per kilometre travelled and saves 46 litres of fuel per year. And the benefits do not stop there. Increased safety, reduced air pollution, endless recyclability, greater competitiveness through material innovation; in many ways aluminium helps accelerate the transition to more efficient and sustainable mobility. Lightweighting can also play a significant role in encouraging the consumer uptake of zero and low emission vehicles - hybrids, electric cars and hydrogen vehicles.
“Using lightweight technologies to improve the range of vehicles and develop advanced car batteries could be critical to improving consumer acceptance. However, an increased uptake of electric vehicles must go hand in hand with a fast build-up of charging stations across Europe and the Commission’s investment package for charging infrastructure is a step in the right direction,” concludes Ragnarsson.