Mercedes-Benz is pioneering a revolutionary innovation in electric vehicle technology: solar paint.
This cutting-edge photovoltaic (PV) coating, currently under development is engineered using ultra-thin solar modules that function like a wafer-thin paste, seamlessly applied to a vehicle’s body. Measuring only 5 micrometers in thickness—thinner than a strand of human hair—the paint can cover up to 11 square meters of a car’s surface. Under optimal conditions, this innovative coating could generate enough energy to power a vehicle for approximately 7,456 miles (12,000 kilometers) annually.
Research is focused on enabling the PV surface to be applied to any substrate. The protective layer incorporates nanoparticle-based paint that allows 94% of solar energy to pass through, offering a lightweight yet efficient solution. Mercedes-Benz’s design ensures adaptability to all vehicle surfaces, regardless of shape or angle, while maintaining a high energy conversion efficiency of 20 percent.
Energy produced by the solar paint is either used directly to drive the vehicle or stored in the high-voltage battery. Notably, the photovoltaic system remains active even when the car is off, generating energy continuously. This innovation could extend electric vehicle range and significantly reduce the need for frequent charging stops.
The amount of energy generated depends on factors like shade, sunlight intensity, and geographic location. In Stuttgart, Germany, drivers traveling an average of 32 miles per day could power 62 percent of their journeys using solar energy alone. Meanwhile, in sunny Los Angeles, the system could generate a surplus, powering 100 percent of daily travel and feeding additional energy into a home network via bidirectional charging.
This environmentally friendly solar paint is free of rare earth elements and silicon, relying instead on non-toxic, easily recyclable raw materials. It is also more cost-effective to produce than conventional solar modules, making it a sustainable and accessible solution for future EV designs.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation, stating, “Innovative strength was and is among the most important driving forces of Mercedes-Benz. For us, innovation only makes sense if it offers our customers real added value.”