Lightweight Steel Keeps Vehicles Mean and Green
Material Could Help Make Vehicles Safer, More Environmentally Friendly

The interest in fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles has never been more apparent. However, drivers do not want to compromise their safety for a car that is lightweight, thus using less fuel to operate. For some time now, automotive engineers have been exploring the different options in vehicle construction to offer cars that are safe and strong -- but will not empty wallets at the gas pump.

The American Iron and Steel Institute's Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) announced recently that the North American steel industry is accelerating its work to provide affordable advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) solutions for vehicle mass reduction.

"The use of advanced high-strength steels reduces a vehicle's structural weight by as much as 25 percent and is the cleanest environmentally friendly solution for future vehicles compared to other automotive structural materials," says David C. Jeanes, P.E., president of SMDI. "North American steel companies are committed to collaborating with automakers to develop vehicles that are safe and meet all environmental requirements with cost-effective, lightweight steel technologies."

This past summer, President Barack Obama's administration issued new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks, raising the required industry average to 35.5 miles-per-gallon (mpg) by 2016. Under the new rules, passenger vehicles will have to meet an average 39 mpg, while light trucks will be required to meet 30 mpg. This could potentially save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and raise the average fuel efficiency of a new car by 30 percent.

"When it comes to reducing emissions, steel is the obvious material of choice for lightweighting, as it can reduce total life cycle CO2 emissions by up to 15 percent more than any other automotive material," offers Ron Krupitzer, vice president automotive applications for SMDI.

A study by Ducker Worldwide shows that AHSS is the fastest-growing material in today's new vehicles, which indicates that automakers already see the benefits of these new steels in terms of cost, mass reduction, fuel efficiency and safety.

The automotive industry is continually evolving. Use of AHSS will continue to keep vehicles safe, but offer environmental and financial benefits to drivers as well.

The Automotive Applications Council is a part of the AISI's Steel Market Development Institute. For more information, visit www.autosteel.org.