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?

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“Don’t Shrink it, Rethink it” is KVA’s motto. They feel consumers don’t want smaller cars but they do want to be comfortable and safe while driving their automobiles. KVA’s ms² advanced high strength steel is able to provide automakers with a direct solution to improve the safety of their vehicles, while reducing overall curb weight without sending sticker prices spiraling out of control. Using KVA’s processed martensitic stainless steel (ms²) can reduce a vehicle’s structured weight by nearly 40% percent. “With KVA’s ms² ™automakers can develop vehicles that are safe and meet all environmental requirements with cost-effective, lightweight advanced high strength steel technology,” says KVA’s Business Development Officer.

President Obama’s administration recently issued new fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks, raising the requisite industry average to 35.5 miles-per-gallon (mpg) by 2016. Under these new rules, passenger vehicles will have to meet an average 39 mpg, while light trucks, 30 mpg. This will require makers to reduce an average weight of 350 pounds, approximated to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and raise the average fuel efficiency of a new car by 30 percent.

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