Alcoa Executive Emphasizes Aluminum Advantages for Commercial Vehicle Market at SAE Conference
NEW YORK--Low weight aluminum offers real-world fuel economy and emissions benefits to manufacturers of commercial vehicles. That was the key message Todd Summe, Division Manager, Product Design & Development for Alcoa , told attendees at the SAE Commercial Vehicle Engineering & Exhibition held last week in Illinois. Summe participated in a panel discussion on sustainability issues representing the Aluminum Association’s Aluminum Transportation Group.
"With many challenges facing the commercial vehicle industry, including concern over greenhouse gas emissions, fuel costs and federal mandates that add weight to vehicles, high strength, yet low weight aluminum offers real-world solutions today," said Summe. "Aluminum offers a 40-50 percent weight savings over steel. Fleet and owner operators want increased payload, better fuel economy and reduced emissions, which aluminum delivers on all fronts."
Summe discussed the advantages of using advanced aluminum applications in commercial vehicles and cited research that validates the benefit of lightweighting. For example, aluminum use in cars globally saves 300 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 35 billion gallons of gasoline annually.
“Lightweight aluminum presents an opportunity for the trucking industry to improve fuel efficiency and payload, reduce operating costs and emissions, improve durability, increase resale value, and meet sustainability goals because aluminum is infinitely recyclable. All this, without sacrificing safety and performance,” Summe said.
Other facts Summe highlighted include:
- Road testing of a bus fleet in China indicates a 3,000 pound weight savings achieved through an aluminum spaceframe, forged aluminum wheels and aluminum skin – the body is 46% lighter than a comparable steel bus body.
- An aluminum wheel can improve tire rolling resistance by up to 3% over a comparable size steel wheel – 3% less rolling resistance equals 1% fuel savings.
- Aluminum provides increased value and mileage when matched with hybrid electric vehicles, compared to steel bodied vehicles.
For a copy of Summe’s presentation go to www.autoaluminum.org. To learn more about Alcoa’s commercial transportation capabilities visit www.alcoa.com
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoaź wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for eight consecutive years. Alcoa employs approximately 63,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com