A material with bright and dark sides
Carbon fiber impresses with its high strength and very low weight. The fiber can be woven, pressed or forged and shaped into almost any desired form – from rims and trim parts to complete chassis components or frames. Low weight is playing an increasingly important role, particularly with regard to electromobility, because batteries weigh a lot. A lot.
One example: the battery pack of the GMC Hummer EV alone weighs around 1,360 kg (3,000 lbs). To at least partially compensate for such weights, manufacturers are increasingly turning to ultra-light materials such as carbon fiber. The material is also increasingly being used in the motorcycle sector – for example in electric naked bikes or super sports bikes.
Why carbon fiber was almost banned
The original draft of a new EU regulation contained a list of materials whose use was to be restricted or banned for environmental and health reasons. Carbon fiber was also briefly on this list. The reason: potential health risks during production, processing and disposal.
The EU focused in particular on the so-called end-of-life aspect – i.e. what happens to a vehicle and its components when it is scrapped. When carbon fiber is recycled, fine particles can be released that cause skin irritation or respiratory problems. Grinding, 3D printing or breaking carbon parts also carries the risk of tiny, hard-to-degrade splinters being released into the air.
Even professional processors of the material therefore proceed with extreme caution. Anyone who has ever touched broken carbon parts – such as arrow shafts in archery – knows the danger: the tiny fibers penetrate the skin and are almost impossible to remove.
EU rows back – carbon fiber remains permitted
As the Italian edition of Motor1 reports, citing the European Parliament, carbon fiber has been removed from the list in the latest draft of the regulation. The reason for this is likely to have been the growing pressure from industry and research: without the use of such lightweight materials, many advances in e-mobility would hardly be possible.
Despite all the justified environmental concerns, it should not be forgotten: The advantages of carbon fiber – especially in terms of weight – are a decisive factor for the range and efficiency of electric vehicles. Without the material, electric cars and motorcycles would be unnecessarily heavy, expensive and inefficient.
Conclusion: No all-clear, but green light for the time being
The discussion about carbon fiber is not over yet. The European Union will continue to monitor the material and its effects – particularly with regard to recycling and occupational health and safety. So there is no complete all-clear. But for the time being, carbon fiber remains permitted in vehicle construction – and thus an important component on the road to an electrified future.
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