The range of new energy vehicles has always been a core pain point for users. Industry data shows that for every 10% weight reduction of a vehicle, the range can be increased by 6%-8%. This key indicator is driving PC/ABS alloy to become the preferred material for lightweight vehicles. Domestic engineering plastics companies have made significant progress in high temperature resistance, structural strength and environmental protection through technological breakthroughs. For example, Yanfeng Automotive uses ELIX Polymers’ PC/ABS 5130 material to build the seat backs and armrests of Buick GL8. This material not only meets GM’s global standards, but its low emission characteristics and high fluidity also increase the efficiency of thin-wall injection molding by 20%, while reducing energy consumption.
Battery pack housing is another key area for domestic technology to be developed. The PC+LFT-D long fiber reinforced material developed by Covestro increases the impact strength of the battery housing by 40% through flame retardant modification (UL94 V-0 certification) and fiber synergistic reinforcement, and optimizes air tightness, effectively solving the hidden dangers of battery sealing in electric vehicles under bumpy road conditions. The charging pile field has also ushered in innovation. Flame-retardant PC/ASA alloy has become the first choice for shells due to its weather resistance and insulation. Take SABIC’s EXL 9330 as an example. It still maintains high impact resistance at -60℃ and has been widely used in outdoor charging gun housings.
Lightweight window technology is a major breakthrough for domestic materials. The front hardened PC glass developed by Engao Optics uses a hot pressing mold process to shorten the development cycle of the panoramic sunroof from the traditional 3-6 months to 3-4 weeks, reducing costs by 40%, and breaking through the production restrictions of large-size PC glass. It has been applied to the rear windshields of many new energy vehicle models48. According to the “White Paper on Lightweighting of New Energy Vehicles in China”, the proportion of automotive PC alloys will exceed 30% in 2025, and the localization rate is expected to exceed 75%4. In the future, with the popularization of autonomous driving technology, the integrated design of light-transmitting PC film and sensor (such as the hidden radar heating film of BMW iX) will become the next growth point for domestic materials.