I know, it sounds kind of like a non-sequitur, something like that insane bit in The Graduate in which the poor kid’s asked what the future is and gets the one word answer: plastics.
But it’s true–based on some advance word from the Center For Automotive Research, the word of the day is aluminum.
By replacing steel, which costs more, weighs more and is harder to come by, with lighter, cheaper, more plentiful aluminum, there’s every chance that, in a stroke of master irony, the beer cans of today will become the drunk driving vehicle of tomorrow.
Quoth the Center:
“Plug-in and hybrid electric cars contain precious little, and quite expensive, ‘fuel’ in the form of batteries,” added Bull. “Therefore, every effort must be made to utilize this stored energy to the highest possible efficiency. The solution lies in lowering the vehicle’s weight with aluminum as part of a holistic approach to also include advanced powertrains and batteries, enhanced thermal management, improved aerodynamics, and reduced rolling resistance.”
It makes sense, when you think about it. Of course, the only problem is that these new lightweight cars are also prone to danger from high winds, rollovers, other cars and large trucks. Think about how easy it’d be for a semi truck to roll right over a beer can…now think about how easy it’d be for a semi to roll right over the beer can car of tomorrow.
Kinda gives you pause, deoesn’t it?
Tags: aluminum, car construction, Center For Automotive Research, Detroit, steel, superstructure