Mercedes explores solar paint that generates energy and promises up to 20,000 extra kilometers per year (Mercedes)
Mercedes-Benz is testing an innovative solar paint technology that could significantly extend the range of electric cars.
The automaker’s proposal is to replace traditional paint with an ultra-thin photovoltaic material, only 5 micrometers thick, applied across the entire vehicle body. This turns every exterior part of the car into an energy generator, greatly increasing the solar capture area compared to traditional panels that are installed only on the roof.
The efficiency of the solar paint reaches up to 20% in converting sunlight into electricity, a rate similar to that of conventional solar panels. A layer of nanoparticles allows most of the light to reach the photovoltaic material, and the color of the paint can vary, although darker shades capture more energy. The generated electricity is sent to the battery or directly to the motors, thanks to a system of converters and electrical insulation between the body panels.
With this technology, a car could gain up to 20,000 km of range per year in areas with high solar incidence. Even in less sunny cities, the gain could reach 12,000 km annually.
Mercedes is still in the research and development phase, but this proposal represents a promising step toward more sustainable and efficient solutions for electric mobility.
Source: Garagem360 | Photo: Mercedes | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Mercedes-Benz Aims to Replace EV Chargers with “Solar Paint” The German automaker says the solar paint could capture enough energy to drive over 12,000 miles a year in a sun-filled city https://t.co/Pv7zf6UGxv pic.twitter.com/cy6zPnFKgs
— SolarVision (@solarvisionorg) January 7, 2025
