California ARB Commissions Lotus Engineering for Second Stage of Study on Lightweight Vehicles
07 September 2010
Lotus Engineering has been commissioned by the California Air Resources Board of California to undertake the second stage of a study investigating efficient, lightweight vehicles manufactured using lighter, stronger materials. Lotus Engineering will conduct a detailed structural design and analysis of the prototype vehicle from an earlier study to demonstrate it meets the crashworthiness and stringent safety requirements for vehicles sold in the United States.
In April this year, Lotus Engineering concluded the first part of the study, released by the International Council on Clean Transportation in California, which recognized that a reduction in vehicle mass of 38% can be achieved for medium volume vehicles (around 50,000 units a year) with just an increase in 3% in vehicle cost and giving a 23% reduction in fuel consumption. (Earlier post.)
This study will be led by Lotus Engineering’s Michigan, USA office with completion in April 2011. The vehicle design will use a mixture of materials best suited to its application including aluminium, magnesium, composites, high strength lightweight steel and plastics.
A reduction in vehicle mass can yield more efficient vehicles; with the global drive to reduce emissions, manufacturers are working hard to take mass out their cars. Lightweight vehicles have additional benefits in terms of performance, agility and cornering, (the lighter the car, the less power it needs to propel it along the road for the same performance as a heavier car).
For 62 years, Lotus has been a proponent and leader of the ‘performance through light weight’ engineering. Lotus’ consultancy division, Lotus Engineering, has been applying its light weight principles behind the scenes for other car makers for years on many types of vehicles, both low volume and mass production.
Who wouldn't pay an extra 3% to save 23% on fuel and have a better handling car at the same time.
Let's do it now.
The e-version would also get 23% more Km between charges with the same batteries.
Let's do that one too.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 September 2010 at 08:17 AM
Whether Ca. is broke or not, isn't vehicle weight reduction being addressed by dozens of manufacturers already?
Posted by: kelly | 07 September 2010 at 08:18 AM
Here's another look at this story:
http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/12248/lotus-undertakes-2-million-us-study-on-lightweight-cars-/
So far these guys have a good track record. Their design studio is the major force behind the Tesla Roadster. They seem to know how to use new materials to reduce vehicle mass. Nothing wrong with CARB's investment here - except maybe they don't have any money.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 07 September 2010 at 09:26 AM
If you look at the previous post, there is a chart of weight savings. It is impressive what can be done. The buying public may have a perception problem here. Lighter to many means cheaper and less safe. That does not make sense in all cases, but I think that many believe that is does.
Ask people why they buy a big heavy SUV and one of the points is "safety". It does not matter that they don't handle nor stop well and are top heavy. They weigh a lot and will come out with less damage in a collision with another car. So the car makers will have to show that the lighter cars are safer as well, IMO that is what can close the deal.
Posted by: SJC | 07 September 2010 at 10:54 AM