Value Proposition

Zinc provides a cost-effective option for enhancing durability and sustainability in the automotive sector. By protecting the steel autobody and frame from corrosion, zinc significantly extends a vehicle's lifespan, reducing traffic-related fatalities and premature replacement. By strengthening cars with galvanized steel, zinc ensures that they last longer, provide offer consistent safety, and reduce manufacturing emissions.

Through the Zinc Enables Decarbonization (ZED) initiative, the benefits of zinc in cars are quantified and substantiated. This research positions zinc as a critical, strategic material in the development of sustainable, low-carbon options to support long-term vehicle safety and ownership.

$100

Extended Service Life

Approximate cost to galvanize each vehicle to double service life

Safety

By extending the structural longevity of vehicles, galvanization enables car owners to extend the service life of their vehicles by 10 years. This extended lifetime also widens the availability of reliable, affordable cars for lower-income households. As these vehicles populate the second-hand market, mobility improves, transportation poverty declines, and economic participation increases outside major cities.

Ungalvanized cars undergo significant corrosion by year seven. Galvanizing ensures structural integrity continues after year seven, reducing accident-related fatalities by 20%.  

Fatalities Prevented

Lives saved due to traffic-related incidents from premature structural failures

Carbon Emissions

Using galvanized steel in cars prevents carbon emissions associated with manufacturing to replace vehicles with a shorter service life. In this way, zinc supports both economic and environmental goals, providing a practical and scalable pathway toward decarbonization across the automotive sector.

5,000,000 tCO2e

Carbon Abatement

Annual national carbon abatement from extending vehicle life beyond 7 years.