A new steel solution developed by ArcelorMittal for electric vehicles has won the Best New Energy Automotive Core Technology Innovation Award during the 7th China International New Energy Vehicle Forum 2017 (Polaris). In China the steel for this solution is supplied locally through ArcelorMittal’s VAMA joint venture, while laser welded blanks (LWBs) created from the new solutions are supplied by GONVVAMA.
Jean-Noel Gacel (left) and Yannick Yin (right) receiving the award
The solutions were developed by ArcelorMittal to lightweight the body-in-white (BIW) of plug-in hybrids electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery-powered electric vehicles (BEV) for the Chinese market. In addition to their lightweighting potential, the steels and LWBs significantly increase crash safety.
Electric vehicles present a completely new set of challenges for automotive designers. Advanced high strength steels (AHSS) have again proved their value. This set of solutions is particularly relevant for carmakers who wish to create electric versions of their conventional vehicles.
In the electric S-in motion® solution, the BIW was redesigned to accommodate the larger electric powertrain and battery protection required. Extensive use of advanced high strength steels enabled ArcelorMittal’s engineers to reduce the weight of the electric BIW.
Jean-Noel Gacel, ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D steel solutions specialist and local EVI team senior research engineer in China, presenting the new solutions to the Polaris audience
The PHEV and BEV BIW concept project was initiated in 2016 to promote these steel solutions on the Chinese automotive market. The project was led by Jean-Noel Gacel (ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D steel solutions specialist and local EVI team senior research engineer) and project pilot Yannick Yin (chief technical officer at GONVVAMA) with strong technical support from ArcelorMittal’s Global R&D steel solutions team.
The Polaris award is recognition of ArcelorMittal’s efforts to bring its latest steel solutions to the Chinese market. Our local EVI team will continue to provide strong technical support to our customers in China, while helping VAMA and GONVVAMA to expand their business in the country.
A picture of the joint VAMA/GONVVAMA stand at Polaris
For more information about our automotive S-in motion® solutions, click here.