New fuel-efficiency norms in India to increase aluminium usage by automotive OEMs

India is all set to join the league of CAFE (corporate average fuel efficiency) countries from April 1 and take the first constructive step towards making its cars fuel-efficient as per global standards. Once adopted, the norms will mandate all car makers and OEM manufacturers in the country to make their products 30 per cent or more fuel efficient from 2022 and 10 per cent or more between 2017 and 2021. The move aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the automobile industry is expected to boost consumption of aluminium and its alloys in the domestic automotive industry as it is known to possess a number of lightweighting and energy-saving properties.

Aluminium, apart from being lightweight, strong, and durable, helps in saving the equivalent of 108 million barrels of crude oil in energy in comparison to a fleet of vehicles made out of steel. By using it in body and parts car makers can reduce weight of their vehicles considerably enabling them to travel farther on a litre of petrol or diesel.

Globally, use of aluminium in autos and commercial vehicles has been on a rise. India has lagged till now in terms of aluminium consumption in the transport sector. With the adoption of CAFÉ norms the scenario is expected to change for the better.

However, experts fear that the proposed rules are too lax and will not be effective in meeting the objectives of curtailing GHG emissions and limiting air pollution.

Anumita Roychowdhury of the Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi, said, “We support the implementation of fuel economy standards. But the way you design it is very critical in determining whether you get the real benefits.”

Other NGOs, like Greenpeace which released a report about air pollution in cities across India, earlier last year, echoed this concern.

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With reports suggesting that the two Japanese auto makers, Toyota Motor Corp and Suzuki Motor Corp., are mulling a tie-up to share technology as well as pool in capital, India is the key market both are looking to penetrate deeper. The proposed changes in the country’s fuel-efficiency regulatory norms have left both car manufacturers scrambling to fill gaps in their product portfolios. In any case, if not now, the domestic auto industry OEMs will surely rise up to the benefits offered by aluminium as a fuel-saving material, in the years to come, and government projects like “Make in India” will further boost their initiatives.