- Electric Vehicles Driving Even More Plastics in Autos
According to American Chemistry Council (ACC) press release on March 6, 2023, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) released a report “Chemistry and Automobiles” highlighting the role of plastics and chemistry in automobiles.
The report found that on average from 2012 to 2021, the amount of plastics in automobiles increased by 16%, to 411 pounds. Calculations show those 411 pounds make up less than 10% of an average vehicle’s weight yet approximately 50% of its volume, significantly improving fuel efficiency, and in turn reducing costs for drivers and carbon emissions from transportation.
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, plastics are more important than ever to the auto industry. Batteries in EVs are much heavier than internal combustion engines, driving automakers to incorporate more plastic into more components of vehicles, like the chassis and battery casings to offset that additional battery weight. Furthermore, certain high-performance plastics can absorb four times the crush energy of steel, greatly improving safety for passengers in collisions.
Heather Rose-Glowacki, Senior Director of Industry Intelligence & Analysis at ACC, and Lead Author of the Report
“This report demonstrates that the auto industry is choosing to use more plastic in vehicles and those choices are benefiting car owners, passengers’ safety and our efforts to advance lower carbon solutions. I anticipate this trend will continue to grow as EVs increase in market share. “
“This report demonstrates that the auto industry is choosing to use more plastic in vehicles and those choices are benefiting car owners, passengers’ safety and our efforts to advance lower carbon solutions,” said Heather Rose-Glowacki, senior director of industry intelligence & analysis at ACC, and lead author of the report. “I anticipate this trend will continue to grow as EVs increase in market share.”
More EVs means more EV chargers, which also require plastics to manufacture and function.
“Plastics in automobiles are the ultimate example of plastics innovation rooted in sustainability. These aren’t your ordinary plastics; they must withstand high temperatures from batteries, daily exposure to UV light, and the wear and tear of a busy family,” said Joshua Baca, vice president of plastics at ACC, and dad to a busy family. “What gets me really excited is how we are seeing automakers partner with our industry to not just incorporate plastics into vehicles, but to improve the recycling of those plastics at the end of a vehicle’s life.”
To learn more, view the full report and a fact sheet.
American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division
The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents America’s Plastic MakersSM and the half million+ scientists, engineers, technicians, and other innovators who make plastics for many essential and lifesaving products that are vital to modern life. America’s Plastic Makers continue to embrace change. We’re linking innovation with sustainability, deploying next generation technologies to make plastics lighter, stronger, more efficient and more recyclable, so we can meet our goal for 100% of U.S. plastic packaging to be reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040. We’re making sustainable change to help build a cleaner, safer, more sustainable future for generations to come.
American Chemistry Council
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the multibillion-dollar business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products, technologies and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health, safety and security performance through Responsible Care®; common sense advocacy addressing major public policy issues; and health and environmental research and product testing. ACC members and chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development, and are advancing products, processes and technologies to address climate change, enhance air and water quality, and progress toward a more sustainable, circular economy.
