The German steel industry is responding to this transformation with new products and strategies. Despite a production increase of 5%, crude steel output remains below 40 million tons for the third consecutive year—a sign of structural change.

E-mobility is fundamentally altering demand: While conventional vehicles primarily require mass steel, electric vehicles demand specialized steel grades and entirely new product categories.

Steel Products for Electric Vehicles

Battery Housings and Structural Parts: Electric vehicles require robust protective structures for heavy battery systems. Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) must combine crash safety with weight optimization while offering optimal weldability.

Body and Structural Components: Ultra-high-strength steels (UHSS) enable thinner wall thicknesses with improved safety and reduced weight—a critical factor for the range of electric vehicles.

Chassis Components: The higher weight and altered weight distribution of electric vehicles place new demands on springs and damper parts made from high-strength spring steels.

Wire Products: Renaissance Through E-Mobility

Tire Reinforcement

Electric vehicles place new demands on tires due to higher weight and instant torque. Companies like ArcelorMittal and Bekaert have optimized their steel cord products: Modern steel cords for EV tires offer higher tensile strengths with improved fatigue resistance. Bead wire technology has also been further developed to withstand increased loads.

Battery Technology

Battery systems require high-precision fastening elements under extreme temperature conditions. Companies like Bulten develop specialized fastener solutions that absorb mechanical loads, ensure electrical isolation, and compensate for thermal expansion. voestalpine Wire Austria offers EPD-certified cold heading wires with reduced CO₂ footprint and optimized recyclability.

Suspension Systems

Mubea has developed special coil springs for electric vehicles that account for the increased loads from battery weight. Using Ansys simulations, spring characteristics are precisely tuned to EV platforms—with a focus on mechanical resilience and NVH properties (Noise, Vibration, Harshness).

Welding and Joining Technology

The assembly of EV components requires specialized welding wires. voestalpine Böhler Welding develops solid wires and cored wires for welding different materials, integrating lightweight construction materials, and ensuring electrical isolation. Steel battery housings require high-precision welding technologies with defined chemical compositions.

New Standards and Requirements

E-mobility is establishing its own quality standards that have direct implications for steel production. Wire products in electric vehicles must exhibit defined electrical conductivity or insulation properties depending on the application. Components near battery systems require enhanced thermal resistance and must withstand thermal cycling. Furthermore, EPD certifications and CO₂ footprints are becoming decisive quality criteria in supplier selection. Comprehensive documentation of material origin and properties is becoming a prerequisite for integration into EV production lines.

Opportunities of the Transformation

The e-mobility transformation offers significant opportunities for the steel industry. Through product differentiation, specialized wire products for e-mobility applications enable higher margins and stronger customer loyalty. Companies that invest early in e-mobility technologies can establish themselves as innovation leaders in new segments and secure competitive advantages. Support for the e-mobility transformation also strengthens the sustainability image of steel manufacturers. Since e-mobility is a global trend, new export opportunities are opening up in international markets.

Conclusion

Successfully navigating this transformation requires strategic foresight, technical innovation, and operational excellence. Companies that invest early in e-mobility-specific competencies will benefit from long-term growth prospects. The German steel industry must combine its traditional strength in precision manufacturing with the innovation requirements of e-mobility—through intensive cooperation with automotive manufacturers, consistent sustainability orientation, and the continuous development of future-ready steel solutions.

Further Information and Sources

• World Steel Association – World Steel in Figures 2024

• WorldAutoSteel – AHSS Guidelines & Updates

• Ansys Blog – Mubea optimizes coil spring design for EVs

• Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt

• Continental – Whitepaper Tire Technology (2024) 

• C&EN – Tire makers strive to fix their electric car problem

• Tire Rack – Bridgestone Turanza EV

• Michelin – Pilot Sport EV

• Bulten – Annual and Sustainability Report 2023

• Mubea – Coil Spring Systems

• NHK Spring – Products / Investor Relations

• voestalpine – Automotive

• ArcelorMittal – Bars & Rods / WireSolutions Europe