Aluminium partnership focuses on low-carbon solutions

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【Summary】Hydro Extrusions has partnered with Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) to provide recycled, low-carbon aluminium extrusions for WEVC's upcoming commercial electric vehicle, the eCV1. The eCV1 will be the first vehicle in its category to exclusively use recycled, low-carbon aluminium in its chassis. WEVC aims to reduce embedded carbon in production by over 50% compared to other electric vehicles.

FutureCar Staff Nov 15, 2023 3:18 PM PT

Aluminium partnership focuses on low-carbon solutions

Hydro Extrusions has recently announced a partnership with Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) to supply recycled, low-carbon aluminium extrusions for WEVC's upcoming commercial electric vehicle, the eCV1. This vehicle, which is set to begin production in 2025, will be the first of its kind to exclusively use recycled, low-carbon aluminium in its chassis.

One of WEVC's main goals is to reduce the embedded carbon in the production of the eCV1 by more than 50% compared to other electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs). To achieve this, WEVC will leverage their extended design life, patented bonded aluminium Flex-Tech architecture, and Hydro's new low CO2 and recycled aluminium products. With these innovations, WEVC aims to become the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to reduce CO2 emissions during the manufacturing process.

In addition to their partnership in delivering aluminium extrusions, Hydro and WEVC also plan to explore closed-loop recycling practices. This includes recycling during the manufacturing process as well as end-of-vehicle life recycling.

Paul Warton, the executive vice president of Hydro Extrusions, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, "Hydro partners with innovative, forward-leaning companies to help them achieve their goals. In addition to the functional aspects of the extrusions we will deliver to WEVC, the parts will reduce the embedded carbon footprint of the vehicle significantly thanks to the recycled, low-carbon aluminium we can deliver."

The supply of aluminium extrusions to WEVC will come from Hydro Tibshelf in Derbyshire, where Hydro recycles aluminium and produces low-carbon extrusion billets. The recycled aluminium used in the eCV1 contains a minimum of 35% post-consumer aluminium scrap and has a carbon footprint of 4kg CO2 per kg aluminium, compared to the world average of 16.7kg. This is partly due to the renewable energy used in the production process.

Neil Yates, the CEO of WEVC, emphasized the importance of the partnership with Hydro in achieving their sustainability goals. He stated, "In Hydro we have the perfect partner who can deliver very high-quality 'greener' aluminium products, which bring a significant reduction in embedded carbon. Forming a development partnership with Hydro allows us to together make sure the new alloys have all the right strength and durability attributes and the lowest possible manufacturing emissions while considering the entire supply chain."

WEVC also recognizes the need for changes in product design, manufacturing processes, and business practices to align with repair, re-use, and recycle philosophies. The partnership with Hydro will explore opportunities for more sustainable closed-loop recycling during manufacturing and end-of-vehicle life recycling options.