Composite Material Application Forecast in Light of Future Mobility Trends

Abstract

Trends in the automotive industry are changing rapidly due to environmental factors, including climate change-induced exhaust gas regulations, urban traffic congestion, and the merging of communication and mobility technologies. As a result, new technologies such as electrification, autonomous driving, and mobility as a service (MaaS) are emerging, leading to the development of various types of mobility solutions, including battery electric and hydrogen vehicles, advanced air mobility (AAM), and purpose built vehicle (PBV). In response to these developments, research on a wide range of lightweight materials is being conducted to meet the requirements of these various modes of transportation. Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is the most effective lightweight material for weight reduction; however, its high cost limits its application. To overcome this limitation, one solution is to produce composite materials using lower cost alternative materials and mass production processes. Another approach is to develop lightweight composite materials that offer additional advantages. Nevertheless, in mobility modes such as AAM, weight reduction is far more critical than cost sensitivity, indicating a potential increase in composite part application in this field.