Good morning. My name is Mario Greco, and I am director of global automotive strategy and marketing at Novelis. Today, I’m speaking on behalf of the Aluminum Association, a trade group representing the
U.S. aluminum industry.
I want to begin by thanking the EPA, NHTSA and the Biden administration. We commend the effort for prioritizing decarbonization in the transportation sector and too, believe more efficient mobility solutions will strengthen the United States’ competitive advantage in the global race to electrification. Our priorities are aligned. The aluminum industry—responsible for more than 650,000 jobs and $172 billion in economic impact—is committed to lowering emissions, improving safety and driving vehicle innovation.
Under any standard that you adopt, high strength, low-weight aluminum plays an integral role in the development of environmentally sustainable vehicles. The most advanced vehicles on the road today feature high aluminum content, from Tesla’s Model 3 to Ford’s F-150. Looking ahead, as the industry embarks on the next phase of electrification, mass reduction with aluminum remains a critical component toward achieving cost effective emission reductions without adverse effects to safety nor affordability.
Research confirms automotive engineers rely most on aluminum to reach aggressive emissions targets. This is why aluminum is the single fastest growing automotive material today.
This growth drives continued investment and technical innovation. Since 2013, aluminum companies committed or invested more than $3 billion in domestic manufacturing and through collaboration, aluminum producers are helping build a circular economy.
My company, Novelis, worked with Ford to develop the world’s largest closed-loop recycling system, which helps recycle enough aluminum scrap to produce 37,000 new F-150 bodies each month.
In 2020, American’s bought more pickup trucks than cars—for the first time in history. With the help of aluminum, the popular F-150 pick-up improved safety, performance, efficiency and capability over its steel predecessor. This year, Ford launched the aluminum intensive electric F-150 Lightning, confirming aluminum’s value in helping automakers produce stylish electric vehicles that don’t break the bank. Notably, a critically-reviewed study confirms an all aluminum pickup truck design offers the smallest total carbon life cycle footprint when compared with a baseline steel truck. As demand for trucks and SUVs increases, aluminum adds inherent value.
Automotive aluminum is just getting started, and we look forward to continued collaboration to bring Americans safe, affordable and efficient vehicles they love to drive.
The aluminum industry appreciates the administration’s data driven approach to updating fuel economy and emissions targets. We look forward to submitting our detailed assessment of the proposed rulemaking by the close of the written comment period. Thank you.
