Japanese automaker Nissan Motor has said that it will switch to using low carbon emission aluminum parts in its new and current models from FY25 onwards. The company aims to fully switch to parts made from green or recycled aluminum by 2030. Aluminum constitutes approximately 10% of vehicle weight and using low CO2 emission aluminum is a bold step in the direction of carbon neutrality.
Nissan’s broader vision is to achieve carbon neutrality in the entire lifecycle of its vehicles by 2050. Low carbon emission or green aluminum is produced using non-fossil fuel-derived electricity. This production process can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 50%. Recycled aluminum can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 95%.
Currently, Nissan is purchasing low CO2 emission aluminum sheets from Kobe Steel, Ltd. and UACJ Corporation for vehicle panels produced in Japan. In future, the company plans to use low CO2 emission aluminum for all aluminum parts used in vehicles, including processed components, globally, to further reduce CO2 emissions and meet its carbon neutrality goals.
It will use low carbon emission aluminum for all its new models produced from fiscal year 2027. For current models, from this fiscal year Nissan aims to start purchasing wheels, chassis parts, axle parts and harness wires made from green aluminum in Japan, the United States, and Europe. It is expecting that by the end of fiscal year 2024, approximately 20% of the newly mined aluminum Nissan uses for car parts procured in those markets is expected to be replaced with green or recycled aluminum.
These developments are crucial for the Japanese company because it places sustainability at the core of its business. The company strives to makes the world a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive place and it plans to continue accelerating its efforts towards making its business sustainable.