Automotive OEMs, their suppliers, technology providers, and consumers alike have rapidly transitioned from finding barriers to now more than ever accepting the enablers with arms wide open. The move to electrification is not without its own set of challenges and road-blocks; however, OEM strategic plans along with just the right amount of regulatory push makes the road ahead meaningful.
For years, cars have actually been gaining weight, not losing it, adding about 880 pounds (400 kg) in the last two decades alone, according to automotive consultancy A2Mac1. Beefier beams and pillars for added crash protection and more amenities like power seats have been the main culprits, along with popularity of behemoth pickup trucks and SUVs.
But now tighter emissions rules are forcing manufacturers to consider dieting. Even in North America, where fuel efficiency targets are less ambitious than in Europe and China, the curb weight of new vehicles will drop about 7%, or 270 pounds, between 2015 and 2025, according to market researcher DuckerFrontier.
To read the full Bloomberg article about the reinvention of steel and electrification, please click here.
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