Nalco favours higher aluminim use in automobiles

Cites fuel efficiency of metal, says developed countries 140 kg per vehicle, compared to 40 kg in India

Navratna PSU National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has favoured greater use of aluminium metal in automobiles, citing fuel efficiency of the light metal.

"While the developed countries use on an average 140 kg of aluminium per vehicle, in India, it is about 40 kg only. Nevertheless, by 2016, the use of this lightweight metal in auto sector in the country is expected to go up by at least three times", Nalco's chairman and managing director (CMD) T K Chand said here on the sidelines of an auto fest.

Growing application of aluminium in auto components has raised fuel efficiency and also brought down vehicular pollution considerably.

Replacement of one kg of heavy metal by aluminium reduces 22 kg of carbon dioxide emission during the life cycle of a vehicle, Chand said.

"Initially, aluminium gained a foothold in wheels and transmission casings. Now, it is widely used in hoods, trunks, doors, bumpers and other structures. Breakthroughs in welding technology have opened up further vistas of possibilities. But most importantly, at the end of a vehicle's life, nearly 90 per cent of the aluminium is recyclable", he added.