Abstract
WorldAutoSteel launched phase 2 of its FutureSteelVehicle programme with the aim to show automakers how latest and future steel grades and technologies can provide light body structures for electrified vehicles. The objective was to develop detailed design concepts and fully optimise a radically different steel body structure for a compact battery electric vehicle in production in the 2015–2020 timeframe. This article discloses the final outcomes of the phase 2 development, detailing steel body structure concepts for the aforementioned vehicles that achieved the aggressive mass target of 190 kg, while meeting 2015–2020 crash performance objectives as well as total life cycle greenhouse gas emissions targets, noise, vibration and harshness, and stiffness. This is achieved using advanced and ultra high strength steels, engineering design optimisation and advanced steel technologies.
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