Aluminum-intensive vehicles should be part of LMDV fleets: Alumobility

A recent study reveals that aluminium-intensive Last-Mile Delivery Vehicles (LMDVs) offer considerable benefits for lightweight and cost-savings in addition to lowering carbon footprint, according to Alumobility, a global association dedicated to advancing the adoption of aluminium by automakers. As e-commerce expands, the logistics sector plans to deploy substantial LMDV fleets and choose aluminium as the best material to meet market demands while meeting cost, sustainability, and performance goals.

Alumobility is a global ecosystem of leading aluminium producers and downstream technology partners that supports automotive manufacturers in creating lighter, safer, more innovative and more sustainable vehicles. The non-profit association was founded to focus on technical studies to advance the adoption of aluminium automotive body sheets (ABS).

According to the report, LMDV fleet managers that choose aluminium-intensive electric/battery electric cars (EV/BEV) save 45 per cent over steel internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The following are the primary advantages of aluminium-intensive automobiles over steel ICE vehicles:

• Lighter weight
• Infinitely recyclable
• Reduced costs
• Reduced emissions
• Lower maintenance and energy costs
• Less risk of corrosion
• More durable

Additionally, compared to steel ICE or EV/BEV vehicles, an aluminium-intensive EV/BEV vehicle has a lower overall cost of ownership. Because aluminium is more resilient and less likely to corrode, maintenance costs and net fuel/electricity cost reductions are also decreased.

Prof Mark White, Technical Director, Alumobility, said, "Aluminum-intensive vehicles are game changers for the LMDV market. The design of the LMDV features large flat panels, so it is ideally suited to take advantage of the lightweight benefit of aluminium. This, in turn, translates into a 47 per cent mass savings."

Vehicles with high aluminium content provide considerable sustainability advantages in addition to cost and weight savings, which reduce lifetime carbon emissions. Additionally, a lighter vehicle has less wear and tear on its brakes and tyres, which lowers emissions.

A steel ICE LMDV emits significantly less CO₂ than an AIV BEV LMDV throughout a vehicle's lifetime. According to a 2022 LCD research, a steel ICE vehicle would produce 77 tonnes of CO2 throughout its lifetime, compared to 50 tonnes for a steel BEV and 47 tonnes for an AIV BEV.

When contrasting a Steel BEV with an Aluminium BEV, it is essential to note that there is a (i) 4 per cent carbon reduction (ii) 22 per cent mass savings or 540kg (iii) 6 kWh battery size reduction (iv) 5 per cent cost per mile reduction.

The logistics and LMDV sectors are under increased pressure to prioritise sustainability due to the launch of US President Joe Biden's Clean Action Plan, which aims to cut greenhouse gases in the United States by 50–52 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030. Additionally, the zero pollution action plan for 2050 of the European Union sets goals for 2030, one of which is to improve air quality to cut the number of premature deaths brought on by air pollution by 55 per cent.

"The infinite recyclability and enhanced lifecycle assessment associated with aluminium-intensive vehicles is a major factor for the LMDV market, which is planning for the future and looking to meet strict sustainability targets," said Prof White.