Key Takeaways
- It is possible to apply an active photovoltaic surface to a car’s exterior.
- There are no hazardous substances or rare earth elements in solar paint.
- According to Mercedes, brake integration with the electric drive unit is another project in the works.
Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled a variety of technology that its “futurists” had been developing over the past few months in a facility in Stuttgart, Germany, the company’s hometown.
One such invention is a novel type of solar paint that, under the correct circumstances, the business claims could produce enough electricity for an EV to go over 12,000 kilometers (about 7,455 miles) annually.
The “solar modules” weigh only 50 g per square meter and are only 5 micrometers broad, which is far thinner than human hair.They can be put in a “wafer-thin layer of paste,” according to the firm, to the bodywork of electric vehicles.
According to studies, a mid-sized SUV with a surface area of about 11 square meters and an efficiency level of 20% should be sufficient to produce the aforementioned extra miles in a sunny location like Los Angeles.
Mercedes-Benz engineers examined the daily driving patterns of EV owners in Stuttgart, Germany, and discovered that they travel 52 kilometers (about 32 miles) on average each day. Despite the sometimes unfavorable weather, the business estimates that solar energy would cover about 62% of this distance.
Even better, solar energy could typically cover all of the driving distance for customers in Los Angeles. Bidirectional charging might be used to feed any excess directly into the home network.
With its ground-breaking EQXX concept car, a mobile laboratory that has traveled more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) on a single battery charge, Mercedes has already seen the advantages of solar power.
According to those working on the project, the sun’s energy provided an extra 30 kilometers (18 miles) of range during its long-distance record attempts, thanks to comparatively small solar panels installed on the roof.
The company claims to be developing more energy-efficient EV braking systems in addition to the photovoltaic coatings, which would successfully remove particle emissions from conventional brake pads and discs.
Mercedes’ invention is incorporated inside the electric drive unit at the front or rear axle rather than inside the wheel. Because brake cooling apertures would no longer be necessary, a much lighter wheel/tyre combination and totally enclosed rims for improved aerodynamics would be possible.
