U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Vehicle Technologies Program
Fact #352: December 27, 2004
Automotive Industry Material Usage
The automotive industry uses large amounts of material each year. Seventy-four percent of all natural rubber and 70% of lead consumed in the United States in 2003 were used by the automotive industry. The automotive industry used only 4% of all plastic consumed in 2003.
Automotive Industry Share of Total U.S. Material Use, 2003 
Supporting Information
Material Used by the Automotive Industry, 2003
| |
Tons of Material |
Automotive Industry Share of Total
U.S. Consumption |
| Zinc |
210,000 |
20% |
| Copper |
362,000 |
10% |
| Natural rubber* |
882,000 |
74% |
| Lead |
1,143,293 |
70% |
| Synthetic rubber* |
1,166,445 |
53% |
| Plastic |
2,058,998 |
4% |
| Iron |
2,480,000 |
27% |
| Aluminum |
3,880,500 |
33% |
| Steel |
15,882,831 |
15% |
|
* Rubber (natural and synthetic) data are for 2002.
Source: Ward's Communications, Ward's Motor Vehicle Facts and Figures 2004, p.56, and 2003 Edition, p. 57. |
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