Research Reports
We’ve got the important issues covered – safety, fuel economy and emissions, and more. The aluminum industry is at the forefront of developing this advanced material for vehicles, current and to come. Ongoing research projects guide the way, and we’re always working on new research!
Sign-up in the box at right to receive notifications as new industry information is available.
2013
Aluminum Body-in-White Concept Study
Conducted for The Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group
Confirms that an all-aluminum vehicle can shed more than 40 percent body mass and boost fuel economy by 18 percent when combined with secondary mass savings and other design changes.
2012
EAA Aluminum Penetration in Cars Report
Conducted by Ducker Worldwide for the European Aluminum Association
Illustrates growth in use of aluminum in European automotive applications.
Weight Reduction with Aluminum: Part of All Cost-Effective Fuel Economy Improvement Strategies
Conducted by Scenaria
Confirms that substituting strong, light materials in automobiles is the only safe, cost-effective way to meet higher fuel economy targets.
2011
Auto Aluminum Growth - North American Report
Conducted by Ducker Worldwide
Illustrates 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.
The Element of Sustainability
Conducted by the Aluminum Association
Industry Sustainability Study: The report highlights the improvements in efficiency, lower emission and green products over the past 20 years in North America.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Concept Design of a Crash Management System for Heavy Goods Vehicle
Conducted by the European Aluminium Association
2010
Stiffness Relevance and Strength Relevance in Crash of Car Body Components
Conducted by The Institut fur Kraftfahrzeuge at the University of Aachen in Germany for the European Aluminium Association (EAA)
Analyzes 26 automotive components to assess the further potential or limits of weight reduction for both steel and aluminum.
A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Magnesium Front End Autoparts
Conducted by The Magnesium Front End Research and Development (MFERD) project under the sponsorship of Canada, China, and USA
“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.
Lightweight Materials and Safety
Conducted by International Council on Clean Transportation(ICCT)
Advanced materials can decouple size from mass, creating important new possibilities for simultaneously improving both fuel economy and safety without compromising functionality.
An Assessment of Mass Reduction Opportunities For A 2017-2020 Model Year Vehicle Program
Conducted by Lotus Engineering, Inc. for the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Identifies potential mass reduction opportunities for a baseline vehicle at both “low development” and “high development” levels.
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Vehicle Weight Impact for Class 8 Trucks
Full Study
Executive Summary
Conducted by Ricardo
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.
2009
Auto Aluminum Growth - North American Report
Conducted by Ducker Worldwide
Illustrates steady growth in use of aluminum in automotive applications in North America.
Auto Aluminum Growth - Worldwide Report
Conducted by Ducker Worldwide
Illustrates steady growth in use of aluminum in automotive applications, worldwide
Electric Vehicles: Mass Reduction and Performance of PEV and PHEV Vehicles
Full Study
Executive Summary
Conducted by Ricardo, Inc.
Evaluates the impact of vehicle weight reduction on electric vehicle performance, range and battery size.
2008
Advantages of Automotive Aluminum and Advanced Powertrains
Conducted by IBIS Associates, Inc
Reviews the fuel efficiency and total life cost of aluminum and steel in hybrid and diesel vehicles.
Automotive Safety: Size vs. Weight Debate
Conducted by Dynamic Research, Inc.
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 Aluminum Weight Savings Benefits
Conducted by Ricardo
Analyzes the true weight savings potential of aluminum with gasoline and diesel powered vehicles.
Position of the European aluminum industry on CO2 and cars
Conducted by the European Aluminum Association (EAA)
Position of the European aluminum industry on CO2 and cars.
2006
Lifecycle Study
Full Study
Conducted by the Aluminum Association, European Aluminium Association (EAA) and International Aluminium Institute (IAI)
Closely examines the lifecycle benefits/costs of using aluminum components in transport applications
2005
Auto Aluminum as a Cost Effective Technology
Conducted by IBIS Associates, Inc
Analyzes the cost different between aluminum and steel components when taking the fuel savings of a gasoline-powered vehicle into account.
2003
Energy savings by light-weighting 1
Conducted by Institut für Energieund Umweltforschung Heidelberg GmbH (IFEU) for the International Aluminum Institute (IAI)
Analyzes the potential for energy savings by lightweighting, Part 1
Energy savings by light-weighting 2
Conducted by Institut für Energieund Umweltforschung Heidelberg GmbH (IFEU)
Analyzes the potential for energy savings by lightweighting, Part 2
