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The use of one kilogram of aluminium replacing heavier materials in a car or light truck can save a net 20 |
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kg of CO2 over the life of the vehicle. |
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This figure is even higher for more weight sensitive applications (for instance, up to 80 kg CO2 saved per |
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kg of aluminium used in trains). |
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The 15 million tonnes of aluminium used in transport applications – cars, buses, trucks, trains and ships – |
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can save up to 300 million tones of CO2 and 100 billion litres of crude oil over the vehicles’ operating life. |
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As car manufacturers have sought to improve fuel efficiency, the use of aluminium has grown every year |
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for the past 30 years. |
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In 1990, the average passenger car contained between 40 and 80 kg aluminium, in 2009, the average is |
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between 120 and 150 kg. |
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While today aluminium accounts for less than 10% of car’s total weight it represents up to 50% of the total |
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material scrap value. |
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The aluminium industry supports global university research in recycling, vehicle light weighting and |
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improvement in alloy properties. |
