In April 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and four other ministries jointly released the Industrial Product Green Design Guide (2026 Edition), for the first time listing lightweighting as one of 11 key green design directions, explicitly requiring the automotive industry to use lightweight materials such as aluminum alloys and carbon fiber to replace ordinary steel.
Strategic Significance of Lightweighting
Research shows that approximately 80% of a product’s lifecycle resource consumption is determined at the design stage. Lightweighting is no longer an add-on but a mandatory requirement. For NEVs, lightweighting directly affects range, energy consumption, and handling performance.
For a NEV to achieve longer range and lower energy consumption, lightweighting is key. Behind lightweighting lies the materials and forming processes of body components.
Material Technology Breakthroughs
In 2026, major breakthroughs were achieved in new lightweight materials, with comprehensive optimization in strength, weight reduction, and cost, gradually replacing traditional steel and ordinary aluminum alloys while balancing energy efficiency, safety, and cost.
Main technology routes include: high-strength aluminum alloy applications (30-50% weight reduction); carbon fiber composites (60%+ weight reduction but higher cost); magnesium alloy components (lightest metal structural material); and advanced high-strength steel (10-20% weight reduction with controllable cost).
Manufacturing Process Innovation
Integrated die-casting technology is a major breakthrough in lightweight manufacturing. By using ultra-large die-casting machines to press multiple parts in a single mold, the number of parts and welding points is significantly reduced, reducing weight while improving body rigidity and production efficiency.
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