BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM - solutions for sustainable living

BRAZILIAN ALUMINUM SOLUTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING 43 ALUMINUM AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING SOLUTIONS • Modern vehicles have managed to enhance energy efficiency thanks to technology development and application such as engines with variable valve control, three cylinders, direct fuel injection, automated transmission with varied speeds, reducing losses in electric steering, among others, that thus rely on imported components and systems. In the pursuit to energy efficiency, aluminum has further been an undeniable add-on, providing even better results through weight reduction. • Another issue to be overcome is the implementation of battery recharging stations in urban areas and highways. • Lastly, a look at tax issues and incentives to devising and implementing such technology in our country is a must. Aluminum has helped overcome a decisive restriction in electric vehicles: self-reliance. Nowadays, more cutting-edge models have managed to reach 200 kilometers (124 miles) at full charge, a figure that could otherwise be lower in severe traffic or uneven topography in big cities. That is the reason why the lowered weight that aluminum adds to vehicles is so paramount. Less weight means less energy demanded to move around, strengthened self-reliance, smaller batteries and decreased cost. Batteries take up more space than a common fuel tank; they must have good thermal dissipation and be protected from impacts and water contact. Given its lightness and strength, aluminum is the material chosen for housing batteries. It is estimated that the average in Brazil is at 55 kilos (121.25 pounds) of aluminum per vehicle, the same average in the American industry back in 1992. It means a gap of 25 years. Each pound of aluminum, replacing another heavier material, can prevent the emission of up to 20 kg of CO 2 over the lifetime of a vehicle, or up to 80 kg of CO 2 on trains. ©StockPhotoSecrets