Aluminum cars better for EV conversion

[Old Mechanic]

Uni bodies made of aluminum are much more difficult for current body shop technology to repair to factory designed strength, especially if they are welded together. They are also almost impossible to straighten when the damage is more than a simple dent. Manufacturers have substituted aluminum for many bolt on panels but they have resisted the transition to aluminum based uni body structures.

With repair procedures required to fix damaged aluminum uni bodies and the very limited number of shops that can actually perform that type of repair, expect exorbitant increases in insurance premiums and repair costs.

regards
Mech

[Photonfanatic]

My guess is they would adapt and eventually most body shops would be able to handle it. Welding it certainly isn't the problem, even I can weld aluminum. My guess is frame straightening might become some kind of issue as the aluminum wouldn't behave the same as steel.

As for the corrosion of the northern environments, aluminum can oxidize, but I forgot what it takes to make it do it. Been too long since chemistry class lol