Nissan to transition to low-CO2 emission aluminium by 2030

The company says that aluminium accounts for approximately 10% of vehicle weight and that using low CO2 emission aluminium, it can take a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality.

Nissan says it will use low CO2 emission aluminium parts made from green or recycled aluminium in new and current models from fiscal year 2024 (April 1st through March 31st) onward and aims to complete the full transition to these parts by 2030.

The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality in the entire lifecycle of its vehicles by 2050. This includes raw material extraction, manufacturing, use, and the recycling or reuse of end-of-life vehicles.

Nissan says the green aluminium is produced using non-fossil fuel-derived electricity and can reduce CO2 emissions during production by approximately 50%. Additionally, recycled aluminium can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 95%. The company has been purchasing low CO2 emission aluminium sheets for vehicle panels produced in Japan from Kobe Steel and UACJ Corporation. In 2022 Nissan also entered into an agreement to use Kobenable Steel, which is based on the Kobelco Group’s CO2 Reduction Solution for Blast Furnace Ironmaking, for its models from January 2023 onward.

All new Nissan models produced from fiscal year 2027, will use low CO2 emission aluminium. For current models, Nissan says it will start purchasing wheels, chassis parts, axle parts and harness wires made from green aluminium in Japan, the United States, and Europe. The company says this should result in approximately 20% of the newly mined aluminium it uses for car parts sourced in those markets being replaced with green or recycled aluminium.

Nissan says it places sustainability at the core of its business. Speaking at a the recent Design4Production event David Mason, Design Operations Director, Nissan Design, Europe, pointed to the important role that parts reduction plays in the effort, as well as to the importance of setting clear sustainability goals across departments.

“When you set metrics as targets at the beginning of the project, you have a greater chance of success. Including through a number of different departments, converging and collaborating on a very clear goal, while also understanding the current state of play.”