A new type of solar paint could extend the range of electric vehicles (VE) thousands of kilometers away.
Unveiling the technology on November 24, representatives of automaker Mercedes-Benz said its new photovoltaic paint could power an electric vehicle for up to 7,456 miles (12,000 kilometers) per year under optimal lighting conditions.
The “nanoparticle” paint can be applied directly to the body of an electric vehicle, reducing reliance on external charging. It is also based on non-toxic and readily available raw materials, making it both environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce, Mercedes-Benz representatives said in a statement. statement.
This technology could be a game-changer for electric vehicles, especially in parts of the world that get a lot of sunlight. This would also overcome a major obstacle facing current electric vehicles: their limited scope and reliance on charging infrastructure, which varies enormously across the world.
Most current electric vehicles use high-performance lithium-ion batteries which, although improving every day, are still held back by long charging times and limited energy density.
Photovoltaic paint converts light energy into electrical charge through a process known as photovoltaic effect.
When photons (light particles) strike the paint, semiconductor nanoparticles called quantum dots absorb light energy and transfer it to the material’s electrons. The movement of electrons creates an electric current that is collected through tiny conductive layers embedded in the paint. This current can then be directed to the electric vehicle’s electrical system to immediately power its components or charge its battery for later use.
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Mercedes-Benz Solar Paint includes a nanoparticle-based layer beneath the vehicle’s topcoat that allows 94 percent of solar energy to pass through to the photovoltaic coating below. The solar coating is sandwiched between the body panel and the visible paint layer, meaning it does not alter the appearance of the vehicle.
According to Mercedes-Benz representatives, a coat of paint is only 5 microns (0.0005 centimeters) thick and weighs only 1.8 ounces (50 grams) per 10.8 square feet (1 square meter, which means it can be applied to almost any part of the car similar to “a very thin layer of paste”.
Although extremely lightweight, the paint offers 20% energy efficiency, meaning that one-fifth of the solar energy that reaches its surface is converted into usable energy. This is comparable to the efficiency of common solar panels.
The automaker claimed that covering an area of 11 square meters (comparable to a mid-size SUV) with the paint generated enough electricity to cover most daily driving needs. For example, drivers in Stuttgart could cover 62% of their daily trips using solar power alone, while those in sunny Los Angeles could produce enough power to meet 100% of their driving needs , the representatives said.
The photovoltaic system generates energy even when the vehicle is turned off, provided there is sunlight. The automaker suggested that excess energy could be fed back into drivers’ homes via bi-directional charging.
Unfortunately, Mercedes-Benz representatives didn’t say exactly when (or if) its paint technology would hit the road. Instead, they said their current focus is on ensuring it can be applied “to all exterior vehicle surfaces, regardless of shape and angle.”