Nissan to shift to low CO₂-emission aluminum by 2030

Nissan Motor Co Ltd announced recently that it will use low CO2 emission aluminum parts made from green or recycled aluminum in new and current models from April 2024 onwards, and aims to complete the full transition to such parts by 2030.

Aluminum accounts for approximately 10% of vehicle weight. By using low CO2-emission aluminum, Nissan aims to take a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality.

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

Green aluminum is produced using non-fossil fuel-derived electricity and can reduce CO2 emissions during production by approximately 50% compared to aluminum raw materials refined using electricity derived from coal-fired power generation. Additionally, recycled aluminum can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 95%. Nissan has been purchasing low CO2 emission aluminum sheets for vehicle panels produced in Japan from Kobe Steel Ltd and UACJ Corp. Going forward, Nissan will use low CO2-emission aluminum for all aluminum parts, including processed components, globally, to further reduce CO2 emissions.

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 fiscal year 2024 approximately 20% of the newly mined aluminum Nissan uses for car parts procured in those markets is expected to be replaced with green or recycled aluminum.