Are Lightweight Materials Really Environmentally Friendly? A Software Tool for the Assessment of the Best Alternative Technologies in the Next Generation of Vehicles

Automotive components designed and manufactured with lightweight materials are becoming a means whereby the CO₂ emission reduction targets in the use phase can be met. On the other hand, such alternative materials might generate higher environmental impacts and a greater energy consumption in the production phase. As a consequence, the use phase is becoming less critical than the manufacturing phase; moreover, the choice of lighter materials might be or not a winning solution depending on several other factors, which can be managed and compared only through the use of dedicated softwares, like the one developed in Fiat Auto.