Cutting weight seen as less vital for automated and shared vehicles

After long demonstrating lightweighting with steel for contemporary passenger vehicles, the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) is slightly changing the tune for a future of Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared (ACES) vehicles.

In a presentation to the International Motor Press Association, SMDI conceded that although weight on an isolated basis affects driving range and can't be ignored, the total effect on the viability of ACES designs is not necessarily the same-and other qualities may be even much more important. And the bottom line on range versus cost is likely to be a wash, said SMDI vice president Dr. Jody Hall.