Every extra kilogram an electric car hauls trims a noticeable slice of its real-world range. Engineers therefore treat bolts, nuts and rivets as diet pills rather than after-thoughts. Modern automotive fasteners made from 6-series aluminum or hybrid steel-aluminum weigh far less than traditional bolts, yet meet the strength grades the industry trusts. On a C-segment EV such a swap saves several kilograms in the body-in-white alone—enough to add a welcome stretch of winter range that a driver in Chicago or Stockholm will actually feel.
Corrosion-resistance is baked into the recipe. A fluoropolymer coating seals threads against road salt, passing lengthy neutral-salt-spray tests, so under-body clips still release cleanly after many winters. That matters when a seized screw can turn a simple brake-pad change into an expensive garage visit.
For assembly plants, the parts arrive in colour-coded service packs that match torque-gun settings, cutting line-side errors by a clear margin. Self-piercing rivets join aluminium panels without pre-drilling, saving electricity on the production line and supporting the industry’s net-zero targets.
Drivers rarely see these tiny components, but when they reach a charger a little sooner or avoid a costly corrosion repair, the humble fastener proves it is one of the smartest investments on the road.