Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC), a pioneer in the design, engineering, and manufacture of low-to-medium volume EVs, has partnered with a leading aluminium and energy company committed to a sustainable future to drastically reduce production emissions of its new electric light van.
Working in the UK with leading Norwegian industrial company, Hydro, WEVC will explore the use of certified recycled and low-carbon aluminium to produce bespoke patented extrusions for its eCV1 electric light commercial vehicle, which minimise carbon footprint and ensure responsible production.
Hydro’s low-carbon aluminium carries a CO2 footprint of just 4.0 kg CO2 per tonne (versus a world average of 16.7kg), thanks in part to the renewable energy used in the production process. The two companies will also evaluate using recycled aluminium with a lower carbon footprint in UK-manufactured automotive structures for the first time.
“In Hydro we have the perfect partner who can deliver very high-quality ‘greener’ aluminium products, which bring a significant reduction in embedded carbon,” said Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC. “Forming a development partnership with Hydro allows us to together make sure the new alloys have all the right strength and durability attributes and the lowest possible manufacturing emissions while considering the entire supply chain.”
Overall, WEVC aims to cut embedded carbon in production of its eCV1 electric light commercial vehicle by significantly more than 50% compared to other electric LCVs. Leveraging the combination of WEVC’s breakthrough extended design life, patented bonded aluminium Flex-Tech® architecture and Hydro’s new low CO2 and recycled aluminium products, WEVC will be the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in manufacture, a cornerstone in delivering its sustainability objectives.
“We recognise that repair, re-use and recycle philosophies demand changes in both product design, manufacturing process and business practice,” said Yates, “And this partnership with Hydro will also explore wider opportunities such as more sustainable closed loop recycling during manufacture through to end of vehicle life recycling options. Together we can deliver upon multiple sustainability opportunities that come from fully embracing the circular economy.”
The UK-designed, engineered and built WEVC eCV1 has attracted strong interest from blue-chip companies, keen to utilise its unique capabilities in their extensive vehicle fleets. The van combines low lifecycle emissions, light kerb weight, efficient energy use and large payload capabilities, with the use of lightweight aluminium playing a pivotal role in all those attributes.
