DOE/USCAR Seek High-Strength, Light Weight Materials

For every 10% you shave off a vehicle’s weight, you save around 7% in fuel costs. Research that can help automakers make lighter vehicles without compromising saftey is therefore immensely valuable, as well as environmentally progressive. The US Department of Energy has just announced, in conjunction with the US Council for Automotive Research, a $70 Million program to speed up research and development in the area of advanced, lightweight materials. Some of the most advanced are said to reduce vehicle weight by as much as 70% – you do the math. (Source – DOE Press Release)