Views: 0 Author: Li Publish Time: 2025-01-17 Origin: Site
In the pursuit of reducing the "weight burden," the evolution of China's new energy vehicles has taken a crucial turn. The transition to electric cars has introduced new challenges regarding the weight of sedans and other electric vehicles. Traditional combustion engines have been replaced by the "three-electric" systems—batteries, electric motors, and electronic controls. However, this shift has led to an increase in the overall weight of electric vehicles. For instance, the electric version of Geely's Emgrand GS is heavier by 220 kilograms compared to its fuel-powered counterpart. This additional weight comes at a time when electric cars are being outfitted with various smart technologies like chips, radars, high-definition cameras, and extensive data transmission harnesses, further adding to their "weight burden."
China's focus on new energy vehicles and their lightweight designs has become a critical aspect of aligning with advanced global automotive standards. The average weight of Chinese electric passenger cars is 10% to 30% higher than those of Western counterparts, while electric commercial vehicles are 10% to 15% heavier. This excess weight significantly impacts the driving range of these automobiles, squeezing out the distance these vehicles can cover on a single charge.
The Chinese government has recognized these challenges and is working towards innovations through policies like the "Made in China 2025" initiative, which underscores the importance of lightweight technologies in automotive manufacturing. The "Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technology Roadmap" presents specific goals for reducing vehicle weight. The directives aim for a 20% reduction in weight by 2025 and a 35% decrease by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. Achieving these goals would enhance the range of electric cars, reduce range anxiety, and lower carbon emissions. Furthermore, lighter vehicles translate into shorter braking distances, better energy savings, and reduced noise pollution.
Industry forecasts from Xiamen Fengyuan Machinery project a surge in the market for lightweight automotive materials, which is expected to reach 35 billion yuan over the next three years as new energy cars continue to rise in popularity. This transformation is being driven by the twin pressures of environmental performance improvement and the demand for more efficient electric cars.
Key Directions in Lightweight Design
Aluminum alloys are at the forefront of automotive lightweight design, playing a crucial role in electric vehicles. The maturity of this technology and its cost advantages make aluminum and high-strength steel the top choices for reducing car weight. Together, these materials represent over 85% of the market, with aluminum alone accounting for about 65%. Companies like Tesla and NIO have incorporated extensive use of aluminum alloys to significantly reduce vehicle weight. For example, the aluminum body of the NIO ES8 is 40% lighter than traditional steel bodies, weighing only 335 kilograms. The overall use of aluminum in the ES8 reaches 95.8%, the highest globally.
Aluminum's penetration rate is increasing in car doors, hoods, and trunk lids. As the most crucial component in electric vehicles, the battery has also adopted aluminum in the form of battery boxes due to its excellent cost-performance ratio.