3 Ways Vehicle Part Manufacturers Can Improve Sustainability in the Transportation Sector
Automotive parts manufacturing company, Continental, recently announced its intention of developing sustainable commercial tires to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO). These initiatives include ‘optimized rolling resistance’ solutions and retreaded tires. According to a recent report presented by the company, 76% of polled fleet managers view rising costs as the biggest challenge while 46% perceive economic uncertainties as concerning followed by carbon emissions.
Manufacturers can play a critical role in supporting sustainable transportation by making sustainable tires, using sustainable vehicle materials, adopting energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and developing environmentally friendly batteries.
Durable and Low Rolling Resistance Tires
Electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are both prevalent in the automotive market. Based on forecasts by Gartner, there will be 85 million EVs on the road in the world at the end of 2025, while Bloomberg NEF estimates that there are currently more than 1.2 billion ICE cars.
EVs are expected to increase their market share in the future, but in the meantime, there is no doubt that ICE cars are still on the road. Hence, manufacturers are advocating for sustainable and less polluting technologies and lower carbon emissions when developing traditional cars.
An important area of concern is automotive parts that contribute to a higher carbon footprint. For example, evidence mounts that tires are a significant source of toxic air and water pollution. According to reports, 200,000 tons of tire particles end up in oceans. Hence, retreading tires is an option using 70% less material than making a new tire contributing to lower costs and greater sustainability.
According to Continental, retreaded tires are 40% cheaper than new ones leading to significant savings for fleet operators and owners. In addition, reducing rolling resistance is crucial for vehicle fuel efficiency and extending the range of EVs. Thus, tire manufactures are actively working to develop tires with reduced rolling resistance without compromising safety, durability, or performance.
Material Optimization
On top of tire development, automotive part manufacturers can enhance sustainability by utilizing lightweight, high-strength materials. To illustrate, it is vital to select optimal materials to enhance performance, reduce environmental impact, and promote sustainability. Some materials such as aluminum alloys and carbon fiber composites are ideal because they reduce vehicle weight, enhance fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Another material is magnesium which is lighter than aluminum.
Parts such as steering wheel columns, roof frames, and engine cradles benefit from magnesium’s mechanical properties reducing vibration and noise. It can also be used for die-cast body panels and housings reducing weight without compromising strength while electroplated magnesium alloys can be used for decorative applications.
It’s also possible to employ renewable materials such as hemp, flax, or kenaf in interior components and body panels instead of using synthetic fibers. Plant-based plastics derived from sources like corn or sugarcane for non-structural parts also reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics and promotes recyclability.
Furthermore, incorporating recycled materials into manufacturing processes minimizes waste and conserves resources. Another strategy that manufacturers can adopt is to create components that are easy to disassemble to facilitate recycling and repurposing of materials at the end of the vehicle’s life cycle.
Sustainable Batteries
Lithium and cobalt are essential minerals in the production of lithium-ion batteries which power EVs and store energy from renewable sources such as solar and wind. However, these minerals are finite resources extracted through mining. Therefore, it is imperative that these minerals are sourced responsibly to prevent environmental degradation and human rights abuses. Implementing battery recycling initiatives also recovers valuable materials and reduces environmental impact.
A study by Stanford University showed that recycling produces 80% fewer emissions than extraction. Hence, batteries that can no longer power an EV can be repurposed at least once for energy storage applications. In addition, minerals in an EV battery can be recycled repeatedly. According to an American Chemical Society study, retired batteries could globally supply 60% of cobalt, 57% of lithium, and 53% of cobalt and nickel in 2040. In essence, extracting and reusing these materials will reduce costs and lower the need for new materials.
Nonetheless, it is important as well to look at alternative technologies and sources for batteries. For instance, sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a favorable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Sodium is easily available and abundant making it a potential source of material for batteries. Currently, engineers are fine-tuning designs to boost performance and safety while manufacturers ramp up their production.
Manufacturers can significantly improve the sustainability of automotive parts they produce aligning with global efforts to reduce environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency. Sustainable tires, batteries, and materials are important areas where automotive part makers can make valuable contributions.
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