Lightweight Steel Vehicles Produced Lower GHG Emissions than Aluminum

On the contrary, the use of aluminum resulted in increase in overall GHG emissions lasting for several decades.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The recent study report published by the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) under the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) suggests that use of advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) for lightweighting resulted in sustained reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when compared with aluminum.

According to the study, lightweighting vehicle body and closure panels with steel results in immediate reduction in overall GHG emissions both during the production of the steel for the car and the entire lifecycle of the car. On the contrary, the use of aluminum resulted in increase in overall GHG emissions lasting for several decades.

Mark Thimons, Vice President-Sustainability, SMDI noted that lightweighting with AHSS is likely to lead to cumulative net savings of over 300 million metric tons of GHG emissions by 2038, as compared with lightweighting an equivalent fleet with aluminum. Further, additional 100 million metric tons would be saved by 2053, he said.

The study was conducted on the basis of initial values obtained from the earlier study titled “Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas and Energy Study of Automotive Lightweighting” dated November 7, 2017. The consequences were assessed using a spreadsheet model developed by Dr. Roland Geyer, PhD, Associate Professor, Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California. The study considered light-duty vehicles produced in North America between 2015 and 2053.

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