Solar paint by Mercedes could boost electric vehicle range by 7,456 miles

A top car manufacturing company is developing a new type of paint that could generate electricity. Mercedes-Benz’s engineers believe that their solar paint could revolutionize electric vehicles.

The new PV coating will consist of innovative solar modules, which will be applied to the car body in a way similar to a wafer-thin paste.

The 5 micrometers thick paint, which is thinner than a human hair, could cover an area of 11 square meters. Mercedes-Benz claims the paint could generate enough energy to power a vehicle for up to 7,456 miles (12,000 kilometers) annually under ideal conditions.

Photovoltaic surface can be applied to any substrate

Currently, the company’s research is underway for the new type of solar modules.

The photovoltaic surface can be applied to any substrate, and the protective layer is a new type of nanoparticle-based paint that allows 94% of solar energy to pass through. At a weight of 50 grams per square meter, Mercedes-Benz is working to ensure the coating can cover all exterior surfaces of a vehicle, regardless of shape or angle, reported PV Magazine.

Mercedes-Benz claims that these solar cells have a high efficiency of 20 percent. The energy generated by the solar cells is used to drive or feed directly into the high-voltage battery. The photovoltaic system is permanently active and also generates energy when the vehicle is switched off. In the future, this could be a highly effective solution for increased electric range and fewer charging stops.

Amount of energy produced depends on levels of shade

The company maintains that the amount of energy produced depends on levels of shade, intensity of the sun, and geographical location.

Mercedes-Benz drivers in Stuttgart, Germany, drive an average of 32 miles per day. Around 62 percent of this distance would be covered using solar energy. In Los Angeles, there is even a surplus of solar energy. It could be used for 100 percent of their driving, on average, and the surplus of energy could be fed directly into the home network via bidirectional charging, according to Mercedes.

This highly efficient solar paint contains no rare earth elements or silicon, relying only on non-toxic, readily available raw materials. It is easy to recycle and considerably cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules. The Mercedes-Benz research department is currently working to enable the use of the new solar paint on all exterior vehicle surfaces – regardless of shape or angle, as mentioned in a press release.

“Innovative strength was and is among the most important driving forces of Mercedes-Benz. Our brand has been shaping automotive progress for almost 140 years with pioneering technologies,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

“For us, innovation only makes sense if it offers our customers real added value. Their perfect composition is what makes a Mercedes a Mercedes. That’s why we believe progress means developing innovative technologies in dialogue with society. It’s how we maintain our innovative power and create a new kind of automotive experience.”