India’s aluminium consumption in transportation grows 14% in five years, yet vehicles carry only 40-50kg vs 160-200kg globally – know why

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Aluminium consumption in India's transportation sector increased from 0.70 million tonnes in 2020 to 1.35 million tonnes in 2025, nearly doubling in five years at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 14 per cent. The growth momentum is expected to continue, with consumption projected to reach 3.82 million tonnes by 2035.

In comparison, global transportation-sector aluminium consumption rose from 22.57 million tonnes in 2020 to 27.1 million tonnes in 2025, reflecting a CAGR of 3.73 per cent.

However, growth in overall consumption masks a structural gap. Despite producing more than 28 million vehicles in 2023-24 and recording strong growth in electric mobility and transport infrastructure, aluminium use per vehicle in India remains significantly lower than in major automotive markets such as China, Europe and the United States.

The disparity highlights a broader challenge for the sector. While total aluminium consumption is rising alongside vehicle production, the penetration of aluminium in individual vehicles remains relatively limited. Vehicle cost sensitivity, the pace of lightweighting, recycling infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities and policy support continue to influence aluminium adoption across the transportation industry.