Mercedes-Benz is developing a solar paint for electric cars that increases mileage by 30 kilometres
Mercedes-Benz is working on an innovative solar paint for electric cars that can add around 30 kilometres of mileage per day.
Here's What We Know
The paint will consist of thin solar modules with photovoltaic cells that can be applied to the surface of the car. These modules will generate electricity when there is sufficient sunlight, increasing the effective mileage of the electric car.
Schematic of how the solar-active paint works on a car. Image: Mercedes-Benz
The company's research shows that coating an entire car with such paint can generate electricity to run up to 12,000 kilometres per year. The paint is only 5 micrometres thick and weighs 50 grams per square metre and would not add significant weight to the car. Mercedes-Benz also plans for the system to generate power even when the car is parked or switched off, with the option of storing the energy in a battery or transferring it to the grid. The paint will be free of rare earth metals and toxic substances, making it environmentally friendly.
Source: surface-technology
