Renault has started using ArcelorMittal’s low-carbon emission steel in three of its electric vehicle models, Kallanish learns from the steelmaker.
Deliveries of the steel grade include five hot-stamped structural parts used on the Renault 5 E-Tech, the Alpine A290 and the Renault 4 E-Tech. The parts are fabricated at the Douai plant, in Northern France, with the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 assembled at Renault’s Ampère plant in Douai and the Renault 4 assembled at the Ampère plant in Maubeuge, the steelmaker says in a note.
The automotive producer has been using standard Usibor 1500 steel for body structural components for its high tensile strength and weight savings of up to 40% compared to cold-stamped steel. The XCarb version retains the same mechanical properties while delivering a significantly lower CO2 footprint via the use of an electric arc furnace (EAF) and 75% recycled scrap with 100% renewable electricity.
The validation of XCarb grades by Renault is part of a broader collaboration with ArcelorMittal to qualify low-carbon steel grades across the carmaker’s supply chain, a joint note says.
The use of the low-carbon emissions steel was first explored as part of the Renault Emblème concept car, unveiled in early 2025, a collaborative innovation project with ArcelorMittal showcasing how advanced steel solutions could combine safety, lightweighting and low-carbon production.
Several solutions developed for the Emblème project are now moving into serial production, with multiple parts using reduced carbon emission materials entering the manufacturing line.
In 2023 ArcelorMittal teamed up with French automotive component maker Lisi Automotive to build components and assembly systems using Usibor with the aim of reducing carbon footprint in the vehicle manufacturing process.
