The automotive industry’s shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) has been transformative, yet it faces hurdles in mass production and infrastructure development.
Mercedes-Benz, the iconic German automaker, may have just cracked the code to overcome these challenges.
According to a report by Autoblog, Mercedes-Benz is allegedly developing an innovative solar paint that could redefine the EV charging landscape, making electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) more convenient and reliable to own.
Solar paint is not an entirely new concept, with several manufacturers exploring the idea of integrating solar modules into vehicles.
However, the current solutions often fall short due to their rigidity and fragility in accidents. Mercedes-Benz’s approach, however, promises to be a game-changer by covering the entire body of the vehicle, not just the roof and sides.
Jochen Schmid, senior manager of Future Electric Drive at Mercedes-Benz, explains the potential:
“We’re producing hundreds of cars a day, and this is quite a lot of surface. So why don’t we use that surface to harvest sun energy?”
This question has driven their research and development team to create a solar paint from a photovoltaic material that is incredibly thin—just 5 micrometres, compared to the average human hair’s 100 micrometres.
Weighing only 50 grams per square meter, this material can be applied seamlessly across the car’s body, including curved panels and intricate creases.
Imagine a high-tech wrap for your vehicle that not only enhances its aesthetics but also contributes to its energy needs.
This solar paint could potentially add thousands of miles to an EV’s annual range, even while parked, as it continuously harvests solar energy and channels it directly to the car’s batteries.
Unlike conventional auto paint, this solar paint lacks pigment and instead resembles a butterfly’s wing, filled with nanoparticles that reflect specific wavelengths of sunlight.
This technology allows the vehicle to come in various colours while maintaining the paint’s solar harvesting capabilities. The energy collected is routed through wiring to a power converter next to the high-voltage battery, seamlessly integrating into the car’s existing system.
Mercedes-Benz estimates that in Stuttgart, where the average driver covers about 32 miles daily, up to 62% of this mileage could be supported by solar energy using their innovative paint.
Operating at 20% efficiency, comparable to traditional EV solar cells, the solar paint’s flexibility offers a significant advantage. It ensures the car can charge whenever sunlight hits its surface, maximising energy collection throughout the day.
With this groundbreaking technology, Mercedes-Benz is set to revolutionise the EV market, addressing infrastructure limitations and enhancing the overall appeal of electric vehicles.
Source: TheCoolDown, Fast Company, AutoBlog
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