Although the current focus on ‘green’ vehicle developments has shifted to hybrids and EVs, weight reduction plays a critical role in all new vehicle development.  Many recent KGP projects have examined the role materials play in the current evironment.  Steel, magnesium, aluminium and plastic metal hybrids, plastics, composites, magnesium and even titanium have all been studied by KGP in the 2007-2010 period. 

Past KGP studies found that despite the drive to improve CO2 and fuel economy there was only a limited penetration of advanced material solutions until now.  However with the legislation of lower CO2 targets in the EU market, higher fuel economy targets in Japan, and similar legislation to come in the form of a tighter US CAFE, light weight materials are starting to see greater adoption in forward model programmes of all vehicle segments, rather than being concentrated on niche models or in premium segments.  Smart design – a multi-material mix, combining new materials, processes and design concepts should see average vehicle weight decline over the next decade in the developed markets.

KGP is currently developing a multi-client study examining the impact of CO2 and other legislation on weight reduction and materials usage and welcomes input from the network on this interesting subject.