Use of carbon fibre in vehicle production on the rise

Mass production methods and technological innovations brought about by its use in airplanes and wind turbines have lowered prices considerably.

Global car manufacturers are increasingly replacing steel with strong and light carbon fibre for use in major parts, reports The Japan News. German automaker BMW, for instance, has launched its first commercially produced vehicle featuring a carbon-fibre frame – the i3 electric car – which is reportedly 170 kg lighter than the company's 1 Series compact cars that are about the same size. The automaker used carbon fibre to obtain sufficient strength for the frame and reinforced plastic for external body panels, achieving the resulting weight reduction. Another BMW offering – the i8 plug-in hybrid – expected to go on sale later this year, also has a carbon-fibre frame. General Motors (GM) plans to start commercial sales of vehicles that use carbon fibre in primary parts from 2015. Toyota and Daimler are also engaged in carbon-fibre development projects.