The automobile industry is being led into new and fascinating areas by the shift to a greener future. The challenge facing automakers today extends beyond horsepower and performance; they are rethinking materials and techniques to produce vehicles that are more environmentally friendly, lighter, and more economical. Modern lightweight materials and biodegradable composites are just two examples of how the push to limit emissions is changing the design and power of our automobiles. With motivational case studies from businesses, ground-breaking laws like the European Green Deal, and even new initiatives in nations like India, this article explores the creative ways the sector is adopting sustainable practices globally. When combined, these modifications are opening the door to a more environmentally friendly and clean driving future. 


Cutting Emissions by Using Lightweight Substances
 

The environmental impact of the automobile sector is significant, as emissions originate from both vehicle use and production procedures. Using lightweight materials, which increase fuel efficiency and lower overall emissions, is a crucial tactic to address these pollutants. A 100 kg decrease in vehicle weight, for instance, can reduce CO₂ emissions by 8 g/km, which immediately contributes to cleaner, more effective transportation ( Roy, A,2019 ). Furthermore, with only a 10% decrease in vehicle weight, the use of cutting-edge lightweight materials might increase fuel efficiency by 6% to 8%. ( Roy, A,2019 ).

The advantages of lightweight materials are best demonstrated by Ford's initiative to include 50% kenaf fibre into specified car parts. These components' weight was lowered by 25% as a result of this action, which improved fuel efficiency and decreased emissions (Faruk,2017) . These developments demonstrate the advantages for the environment of using lightweight substitutes for conventional materials in automotive applications.


Innovation for Green Materials

The global demand for sustainable production has accelerated the creation of green materials. Because polymer-based composite materials offer high strength-to-weight ratios, they are particularly well-suited for automotive applications. In an attempt to further enhance sustainability, the industry is shifting towards biodegradable composites, which include natural reinforcements including fibres from pine, cellulose, and starch-based mixtures ( Roy, A,2019 ) .

The Eco-Indicator and CML (Centrum voor Milieukunde Leiden) methods, two well-known procedures, to assess an automotive component's environmental impact. From the extraction of raw materials to disposal, these approaches enable a thorough evaluation of the environmental effects at various phases of the component's lifecycle. By using these techniques, the authors were able to pinpoint important locations that contribute to environmental burdens, allowing for more environmentally friendly production choices (Vinodh, S, 2011) .

In addition to reducing reliance on fossil-based components, these sustainable composites exhibit promising mechanical properties when produced under optimal conditions. Research on injection-molded biodegradable composites has shown that they match the durability and performance standards required by the automotive industry, despite the need for enhanced fibre processing to minimise damage during manufacture. These materials are progressively becoming competitive alternatives to conventional composites made of petroleum (Cunha A M,2006) .


Economic Transition


The United Kingdom, for example, has set aside GBP 73.5 million for green automotive technology projects to promote innovation in hydrogen fuel cells, lightweight components, and recyclable electric vehicle (EV) batteries. It is expected that this funding effort will protect 14,000 employment and expedite the industry's shift to low-emission vehicles. Involving major players in the industry like Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, and LEVC highlights the initiatives' potential for both financial and environmental gains (IEA 2020).

A key component of the economic transformation is the European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU the first continent to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. By 2030, this policy framework aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55%, with a focus on industry, transportation, energy, and agriculture. The Green Deal, backed by substantial finance and recovery plans, is a revolutionary approach to sustainability in the EU by highlighting the decoupling of economic growth from resource depletion (European Commission).

Future of Sustainable Materials: India's Transition

India is one of the biggest rising economies, and its attitude to green technology and sustainable materials is essential to the advancement of the environment worldwide. Similar issues of pollution and resource constraint are causing the Indian automobile sector to start looking at sustainable materials. Natural fibres like jute and kenaf, as well as composites made of polymers, are becoming more and more popular as feasible substitutes for synthetic materials. These composites take advantage of India's wealth of natural resources while also supporting the nation's objective of lowering its reliance on petroleum (Venkatesh,2021).

The automotive industry's commitment to sustainable materials is expected to be a key factor in countries' efforts to achieve carbon-neutral goals, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future. Significant financial assistance and incentives are being offered by governments worldwide to assist the automotive industry in transitioning to sustainable practices (IEA).

The integration of green policies and technical breakthroughs is anticipated to be the road taken by India in the adoption of sustainable materials. In order to meet the growing demand for environmentally friendly automotive solutions, India's shift to renewable resources would be essential. By embracing these cutting-edge materials, India will be able to reduce emissions, encourage resource conservation, and build a more resilient economy.

 

Reference

Roy, A. and Ghosh, A. (2019) Renewable and sustainable materials in automotive industry, Encyclopedia of Renewable and Sustainable Materials, Elsevier. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/42386488/Renewable_and_Sustainable_Materials_in_Automotive_Industry (Accessed: 05 November 2024).

Faruk, O., Tjong , J. and Sain, M. (2017)  Lightweight and sustainable materials for automotive applications, https://think.taylorandfrancis.com Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Lightweight-Sustainable-Materials-Automotive-Applications/dp/1498756875

Vinodh, S., Jayakrishna, K. and Joy, D. (2011) Environmental impact assessment of an automotive component using eco-indicator and CML methodologies - Clean Technologies and Environmental policy, SpringerLink. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10098-011-0405-x (Accessed: 05 November 2024). 

Cunha A M, A R Campos, C Cristovao, C Vila, V Santos (2006) Sustainable materials in automotive applications  Available at : https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1179/174328906X146487

IEA (2020)  Subsidies to support green economic recovery in Automotive Sector – policies, IEA. Available at: https://www.iea.org/policies/12746-subsidies-to-support-green-economic-recovery-in-automotive-sector (Accessed: 07 November 2024). 

European Green deal (2019) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Green_Deal (Accessed: 07 November 2024). 

Venkatesh, V. "Lightweight and Sustainable Materials for Automotive Applications," 2021. Published by Springer. DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-4921-9_221-1. https://www.academia.edu/42386488/Renewable_and_Sustainable_Materials_in_Automotive_Industry