Mercedes is working on «solar paint» for electric cars – it will add up to 12 thousand free mileage per year

Mercedes-Benz is developing an innovative «solar paint» that can generate electricity when applied to the car body. This technology has the potential to provide enough energy for thousands of kilometers of driving per year, significantly increasing the range of electric vehicles and reducing the need for frequent charging during travel.

According to the company, this revolutionary paint is only five micrometers thick and weighs only 50 grams per square meter, making it virtually weightless. Despite its lightness, it has a high energy-generating potential. Importantly, the paint does not contain rare earth materials or silicone and is made from inexpensive, non-toxic components that are easily recyclable.

The peculiarity of this technology is its efficiency. Mercedes claims that with a surface area of 11 square meters (approximately the size of a mid-size crossover), under ideal conditions, the paint can produce enough energy to run up to 12 thousand kilometers per year. That’s about 33 kilometers of free driving every day.

The collected energy can either directly power the car’s electric motors or charge its high-voltage battery. Another advantage: the system will work even when the car is parked, constantly generating electricity.

Actual performance will depend on factors such as shade, sun intensity, and geographic location. For example, in Stuttgart, the company’s hometown, the paint could provide about 62% of the average daily mileage of 52 km using solar power alone. In sunnier regions, such as Los Angeles, the paint could potentially generate enough electricity to cover 100% of the average driver’s needs. The excess energy can be used to power the home network through bi-directional charging.

The exact composition of the paint is still a commercial secret, but all indications are that it could be based on a solution of perovskites. These materials have already demonstrated high efficiency in laboratory conditions and are consistent with Mercedes’ description of an inexpensive, non-toxic photovoltaic material without rare metals and silicone.

The main problem with perovskites is their resistance to water and UV light, issues that Mercedes researchers are likely to be actively working on.

Although the technology looks very promising, it is still at the research stage, and the company does not give a clear timeline for its introduction into production.

Source: techspot