Technological watch
Kickstart: Cars increase plastics use with EVs expected to open the door for even more
The average American car is becoming more plastic.
The American Chemistry Council has a new report out showing that, on average, from 2012 to 2021 the amount of plastics in the car increased by 16 percent to 411 pounds.
That 411 pounds makes up less than 10 percent of an average vehicle's weight yet about 50 percent of its volume, ACC said, showing its ability to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions through lighter vehicles.
"Plastics in automobiles are the ultimate example of plastics innovation rooted in sustainability," Joshua Baca, vice president of plastics at ACC, said in a news release. "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."
In addition to its use in the car, the increasing number of electric vehicles also is leading to an increased number of EV chargers, which also are big users of plastics for housings, cables, electronics and displays, ACC said.
The American Chemistry Council has a new report out showing that, on average, from 2012 to 2021 the amount of plastics in the car increased by 16 percent to 411 pounds.
That 411 pounds makes up less than 10 percent of an average vehicle's weight yet about 50 percent of its volume, ACC said, showing its ability to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions through lighter vehicles.
"Plastics in automobiles are the ultimate example of plastics innovation rooted in sustainability," Joshua Baca, vice president of plastics at ACC, said in a news release. "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."
In addition to its use in the car, the increasing number of electric vehicles also is leading to an increased number of EV chargers, which also are big users of plastics for housings, cables, electronics and displays, ACC said.
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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