EU Aims to Prohibit Carbon Fiber in Vehicles, Causing Unease Among Automakers | Carscoops

      Carbon fiber is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel, but the EU is looking to ban it from vehicles by labeling it as hazardous.

      A new proposal from the EU could designate carbon fiber as a dangerous material for automotive use, posing risks for manufacturers that depend on it to reduce the weight of electric vehicles and enhance their range. Should the proposal pass, the law would not be implemented before 2029, providing time for companies to adapt.

      Traditionally, materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium have been deemed hazardous by the European Union. Nonetheless, they remain permitted in the automotive industry under exemptions not applicable to other consumer products. Now, however, carbon fiber may be on the verge of an outright ban in European vehicles.

      A recent report indicates that the European Parliament has completed a draft revision of the End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, which governs the dismantling and recycling of vehicles with a focus on environmental sustainability. This revision marks the first instance globally where carbon fiber is classified as a harmful material.

      The aircraft sector heavily utilizes carbon fiber, along with various applications including wind turbine blades and cars, and somewhat in motorcycles, due to its superior strength and reduced weight compared to aluminum. While it is more expensive due to complex and costly manufacturing processes, its benefits often justify the added costs.

      The global market for carbon fiber, valued at $5.48 billion in 2024, is projected to expand at an average annual rate of 11% to reach $17.08 billion by 2035, according to US research firm Roots Analysis. Currently, the automotive sector accounts for 10% to 20% of carbon fiber applications, a figure expected to rise significantly as manufacturers aim to decrease electric vehicle weights.

      The additional weight of electric vehicles compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is primarily due to the substantial battery packs they carry, usually mounted on the vehicle floor. Manufacturers, particularly in the premium sector, see carbon fiber as an optimal solution, where concerns about cost are secondary to performance and range, both of which are adversely affected by excess weight.

      So, why does the EU categorize this material as hazardous? The concern arises when carbon fiber, which is bonded with resin, is disposed of, as filaments may become airborne, leading to potential short circuits in machinery and skin or mucosal membrane irritation for humans.

      According to Nikkei Asia, three Japanese firms—Toray Industries, Teijin, and Mitsubishi Chemical—stand to be significantly impacted if this ban is enforced, collectively holding 54% of the global carbon fiber market. For Toray Industries, automotive applications constitute the third largest segment of its business after aerospace and wind energy, with 50% of that portion in Europe, meaning they would be profoundly affected by this legislative proposal.

      In addition to electric vehicles, numerous manufacturers utilize carbon fiber in their ICE or hybrid models—McLaren even fabricates the entire chassis of its supercars from it. The silver lining is that, even if the ban is approved in Europe (and there is considerable resistance anticipated), its implementation would not begin until 2029.

      Four years may not seem lengthy for manufacturers needing to design new vehicles in compliance with regulations. However, considering rapid global changes, such as the economic upheaval following the 25 percent tariff on imported cars set by the Trump administration, uncertainty remains. Many nations are looking to negotiate this measure, and thus, it may be premature to fret overly about a potential carbon fiber ban in Europe—except perhaps for executives at the mentioned Japanese companies or at McLaren.