Aluminum May be Soaring Next

[dollardaze]

Due to last Friday's EPA amendment to an obscure clean water regulation that restricted the use of aluminum in vehicles because of a possible harmful byproduct created in the manufacturing process, automobile manufacturers are now going to be able to use much more aluminum in new vehicles.

Congress' recent decision to raise fuel efficiency requirements has intensified the auto industry's interest in lightweight materials. Aluminum could reduce the weight of cars dramatically because it weighs roughly half as much as steel. Every 10% reduction in car weight results in a 6% to 8% decrease in gasoline consumption.

William Pentland

This sounds good for the fuel efficiency of these vehicles. My question is - what about the safety of all this aluminum in the vehicles. It seems to me that each year vehicles are a little bit less steel and more and more other materials, are these materials going to keep my family safe in an accident?
I know that there are no guarantees, even with more steel in the bodies of cars, but I'm not sure I would feel safe, knowing that my car is mainly aluminum.

Aluminum May be Soaring Next

[pennypinch]

I agree that I don't know how safe I would feel putting my children in a vehicle made of aluminum. Vehicles with steel have to be somewhat safer I would think. On the other hand, it sure could help out with the cost of fuel if they are more efficient.

[carol b]

Well this is good news for me and my family. We have
been saving aluminum for a while now. We like many
families have turned to junking to suppliment our income.
You are right however about the aluminum cars. I want
to see some crash test and strength test done before
I will ever consider owning one.