FLEETDRIVE
The resulting vehicles are lighter and require less energy to move . This results in improved fuel efficiency enabling car makers to meet emission standards . Furthermore , lighter vehicles enhance driving dynamics and offer better handling and responsiveness .
Automakers are also incorporating recycled materials into various components , ranging from interior elements to structural components . Recycled steel , for instance , is finding its way into vehicle bodies , contributing to both sustainability goals and resource conservation . Recycled plastics and composites are being used in interiors which reduces the reliance on virgin materials .
Bio-based materials , which are derived from renewable resources such as plants and agricultural by-products , are also making their way into the car manufacturing industry . Innovations in bio-based materials include plantbased plastics , natural fibres , and other organic compounds . Plant-based plastics are being used in interior components , reducing dependence on fossil fuel-derived plastics . Natural fibres , such as hemp and flax , are finding applications in interior panels and insulation .
Greener EV Batteries
EVs continue to gain momentum globally but as demand from it rises , so does the scrutiny on the sustainability of producing batteries . Key considerations include the raw materials used in battery production , the energy-intensive manufacturing processes , and the end-of-life disposal or recycling of batteries .
Companies are actively pursuing innovations in creating eco-friendly EV batteries that offer alternatives that are more sustainable and may even be better at storing energy .
More manufacturers are exploring solid-state batteries to improve safety and energy density as well as to eliminate the need for certain environmentally sensitive materials .
ISSUE 45 FEBRUARY 2024 / WWW . AFMA . ORG . AU 5