Aluminum in transportation reduces weight and emissions

Aluminium silo semi-trailers, tipping silo semi-trailers, silo bodies, and silo trailers provide an efficient solution for the transport of powder goods and granular materials. Our VIA Terra solutions ensure a high payload and durability of the vehicle, which is an important aspect in the area of silo vehicles.

Aluminium tankers meet the highest safety requirements with minimal manufacturing tolerances. Made of our VIA Terra Elongal Sheets, they comply with both the strict requirements of EN 14286 and ADR regulations. They are safe, maintenance-friendly, easy to repair and have a long service life, making them highly profitable. Aluminium constructions ensure an optimized payload.

The role that aluminium plays in transport becomes particularly evident in the context of dump trucks: Made of our VIA Terra aluminium, they are light and stable, resulting in high efficiency. They are used for a variety of transported goods such as building materials and agricultural products. They are also characterized by their long service life due to high corrosion resistance.

Aluminium buses, delivery vehicles and special vehicles are robust, sustainable, and designed for a lifespan of more than 20 years. The aluminium sheets used for these vehicles demand a high degree

of flatness and must meet high aesthetic standards when they are visible. Our VERSA Bend Sheets provide the perfect solution when it comes to absence of tension and small bending radii.

Fire trucks with aluminium lightweight components meet the highest demands in terms of robustness and corrosion resistance. Our VERSA Bend shaped aluminium elements are ideally suited for vehicle conversion thanks to their tight folds. They demonstrate high shape stability with a low weight and impress with enormous durability, even in demanding areas of application.

The commercial vehicle industry primarily relies on 5xxx-series aluminium alloys. These materials combine:

• high strength
• excellent corrosion resistance
• outstanding weldability
• good formability
• and long service life 

This unique combination makes them ideal for chassis components, tanks, and superstructures, where both stability and weight reduction play an important role. 5xxx alloys are particularly well suited for tankers and hazardous goods containers, where crash performance is critical. Their exceptional energy absorption and resistance to fracture help maximize safety in demanding transport conditions.

Switching from steel to aluminium can cut the weight of individual components by up to 40 percent. This weight reduction translates directly into higher payload capacity, which is especially important for electric vehicles, where the battery already adds significant mass. It also helps improve fuel efficiency in diesel-powered fleets. Even at a lower weight, high-strength rolled aluminium products offer the structural stability and fatigue resistance needed for demanding transport applications.

Aluminium resists corrosion and moisture that would cause wear in steel components. Thanks to its durability, aluminium structures remain low-maintenance for many years. Another key advantage is its thermal tolerance: aluminium can safely handle temperatures between 80 and 100 °C, and even brief exposure beyond that range. This makes it well suited for transporting hot cargo. Limitations of utilizing aluminium for transport arise only with highly acidic or alkaline loads that fall outside a pH range of roughly 4.5 to 8.5.

Painted or wrapped aluminium surfaces are standard practice in European vehicle manufacturing today. Careful surface pretreatment is critical to achieving a long-lasting, high-quality appearance. Proper preparation ensures uniform adhesion and guarantees that paint and wraps remain durable and visually appealing for many years.

These body structures are designed using CAD software, with finite element analysis added for complex builds. Production now commonly employs automated welding robots for series manufacturing, while manual processes are applied for custom or one-off builds. Precise assembly requires tight tolerances in sheet thickness, width, and length. For applications like food transport, interior surfaces must also be free from damage and residue to meet hygiene standards.

Aluminium is used across a wide range of commercial vehicles, including:

• Silo trucks, which benefit from higher payloads and lower tare weight.
• Tankers, where tight tolerances, dimensional stability, and enhanced crash performance ensure long-term leak resistance and operational safety.
• Tippers, which become lighter and more resistant to corrosion and mechanical stress.
• Buses, delivery vans, and specialty vehicles, which use aluminium for smooth, sturdy exterior panels and durable interior structures. 

Fire and emergency vehicles also benefit from aluminium’s low weight and high durability, making it an ideal choice for demanding operational environments.

Speira supplies rolled aluminium pre-material with superior surface quality, excellent formability, and extremely tight manufacturing tolerances. This allows components to be precisely adapted to different vehicle types and design requirements. Aluminium supports clean lines, smooth surfaces, and sharply defined contours. Even processes such as deep drawing, bending, or embossing maintain the material’s stability, enabling aerodynamic shapes and integrated functional details.