ZARAGOZA, Spain—Engineers at the Technological Institute of Aragon here are coordinating a new European Union initiative to develop lightweight components for electric vehicles.

When the latest-generation C-Class series of automobiles was being developed in 2014, Mercedes-Benz designers placed a great emphasis on weight reduction to reduce fuel consumption.

Aluminum is a popular material for numerous automotive lightweighting applications. But, switching from aluminum to zinc alloys could greatly enhance the longevity and sustainability of many types of auto parts.

DARMSTADT, Germany—Engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability have developed a lightweight battery pack made out of carbon-fiber composites that weighs 40 percent less than traditional aluminum enclosures.

DETROIT—Lightweight Innovations For Tomorrow (LIFT) has joined a new national organization that hopes to forge a more racially inclusive future for manufacturing.

Next year, the EU enters the next phase of automotive emissions standards under the current regulation, Euro 6. Average CO₂ emissions of new cars must be a maximum of 95 grams per kilometer under real driving conditions.