Toronto, Ontario — On May 17th, Nissan Motor Co. announced that it will use low CO2 emission aluminum parts made from green or recycled aluminum in both new and current models beginning this year.
The automaker specifically aims to complete this transition by 2030 when all parts used will be made from green or recycled aluminum.
According to a recent press release, “aluminum accounts for approximately 10 percent of vehicle weight. By using low CO2 emission aluminum, Nissan aims to take a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality.”
Green aluminum is specifically produced using non-fossil fuel-derived electricity and can reportedly reduce CO2 emissions during vehicle production by approximately 50 percent. Additionally, recycled aluminum can reportedly reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 95 percent.
The press release further noted that “Nissan has been purchasing low CO2 emission aluminum sheets for vehicle panels produced in Japan from Kobe Steel Ltd. and UACJ Corporation.”
Moreover, “going forward, Nissan will use low CO2 emission aluminum for all aluminum parts, including processed components, globally.”
Accordingly, for all new models produced from fiscal year 2027, low CO2 emission aluminum will be used. 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.”
As a result, by the end of 2024, the company claims that approximately 20 percent of the newly mined aluminum used in Nissan’s vehicles is expected to be replaced with green or recycled aluminum.
