ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products

Online client newsletter | December 2020

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Lightening the chassis

Using smart steel solutions to design the rear chassis of battery electric vehicles

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The latest S-in motion® study from ArcelorMittal has identified new design options for the rear chassis of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) using the latest advanced high strength steels (AHSS) from ArcelorMittal. The study also found that significant cost, weight, and emission savings could be achieved with advanced steels while maintaining chassis rigidity and performance. The results will help OEMs and suppliers to adapt to a fast-changing world where electric powertrains will account for more than a third of the vehicles sold by 2030. To find out more about the study – and the savings – e-Update spoke with Jean-Luc Thirion, head of ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D for Flat Products, and Paul Brettnacher, CMO of Automotive and Packaging for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products.

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Detail of an S-in motion® rear chassis equipped with an e-motor

Jean-Luc, what was the scope of the S-in motion® Rear Chassis project?
  • Jean-Luc Thirion (JLT): We successfully developed a lightweight steel rear-subframe concept for BEVs which utilises ArcelorMittal’s most advanced high strength steels.
Paul, what are the main concerns of consumers when it comes to BEVs?
  • Paul Brettnacher (PB): One of the biggest concerns for consumers is vehicle range. This can be partially addressed by reducing vehicle weight, something that is already possible with AHSS.
Did the S-in motion® Rear Chassis study identify weight savings?
  • JLT: We identified two rear-subframe solutions which use AHSS and offer significant mass savings. One is an integral link solution, and it has a weight of 28.6 kg. The second is a solution with five links which is 27.5 kg. Both compare favourably to existing aluminium solutions which weigh between 22.5 and 38.5 kg, and average 30.5 kg.
How do the steel solutions compare when it comes to the environment?
  • PB: A life cycle assessment (LCA) showed we can reduce CO2-equivalent emissions by up to 58 percent for an AHSS rear chassis when we compare it to one made from aluminium.
And when it comes to cost…?
  • JLT: We found that costs could be reduced by up to 45 percent with AHSS compared to existing and comparable aluminium solutions. That is a major saving for OEMs – and consumers.
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Paul Brettnacher, CMO of Automotive and Packaging for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products



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Jean-Luc Thirion, head of ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D for Flat Products

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The S-in motion® study identified two optimised lightweight steel solutions for different chassis requirements

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Want to know more about ArcelorMittal’s S-in motion® Rear Chassis study? Visit our website

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