-- Future Steel Vehicle Program releases early styling images for alternative powertrain vehicle using advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) body structure.

-- Four technical options are being considered for a year 2015-2020 vehicle: electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles for four or more passengers; and plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicles for five passengers.

-- All four types will achieve emissions that are well below requirements being proposed around the world.

-- Material choice becomes increasingly important as the use phase emissions are decreased or eliminated using alternative powertrains. Steel produces five to 15 times less emissions than other materials used for lightweighting.

-- Combination of alternative powertrains and AHSS reduces a vehicle's life cycle carbon footprint.

Future Steel Vehicle (FSV) Program has produced early styling sketches based on the packaging studies initiated in the Phase I research, which were released today by WorldAutoSteel member companies.

FSV's technical team, which includes EDAG, Quantum Technologies, Inc., Shanghai Fuel Cell Vehicle Powertrain Co., Ltd /Tongji and WorldAutoSteel material experts, is considering four technical specification options for the proposed year 2015-2020 vehicle: electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicles for four or more passengers; and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and fuel cell (FCV) vehicles for five passengers. The flexibility of powertrain component packaging coupled with the qualities of AHSS will enable these vehicles to maintain current and future consumer expectations for interior comfort, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire life cycle.

"For the sake of the environment, it is critical to look at Future Steel Vehicle, as all vehicles, from a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective," said Edward Opbroek, director, WorldAutoSteel. "Based on the recent LCA study and model* developed at the University of California Santa Barbara, implementation of more efficient powertrain systems elevates the importance of the emissions from material production, placing greater emphasis on selecting a low greenhouse gas-intensive material such as steel."

Opbroek noted that with the combination of alternative powertrains and AHSS, all four FSV types will achieve well below the emission requirements proposed around the world. "Compared to other materials used to reduce vehicle weight, these advanced high-strength steels produce five to 15 times less greenhouse gas emissions during the material manufacturing phase, which greatly reduces a vehicle's life cycle carbon footprint," said Opbroek.

WorldAutoSteel's FSV program is in its first phase with a careful evaluation of next-generation vehicle technologies that respond to the challenges of increasing fuel efficiency, reducing GHG emissions and improving safety.