In a nutshell: Mercedes-Benz is developing an innovative "solar paint" capable of generating electricity when applied to a car's entire body. The technology could potentially provide enough energy to power thousands of miles of driving annually, significantly increasing the range of electric vehicles while reducing the need for frequent charging stops during road trips.
The company states that this groundbreaking solar paint is just five micrometers thick and weighs a mere 50 grams per square meter – practically weightless. Despite its lightness, it is packed with energy-generating potential. Notably, the paint contains no rare earth materials, no silicon, and is made from inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients that are easy to recycle.
What truly sets this technology apart is its efficiency. Mercedes claims that with an 11-square-meter surface area – roughly the size of a mid-sized SUV – the paint could produce enough energy to power up to 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) of driving annually under ideal conditions.
The energy harvested could either directly power the car's electric motors or recharge its high-voltage battery pack. Remarkably, the system would remain active even when the vehicle is parked, continuously generating electricity.
Of course, real-world performance would depend on variables such as shade, sun intensity, and geographic location. However, Mercedes has provided some theoretical examples to illustrate the paint's potential. In Stuttgart, Germany, the company's hometown, it estimates that the solar paint could supply enough energy to cover approximately 62 percent of the average daily driving distance of 52 kilometers, using solar power alone.
In sunnier regions, like Los Angeles, the solar paint could potentially generate enough electricity to meet 100 percent of the average driver's needs. Any surplus energy could be fed back into the home grid via bidirectional charging, offering additional utility beyond powering the vehicle.
For now, the exact composition of the paint remains a closely guarded secret. However, all indications suggest it may be a sprayable perovskite solution. Perovskites have demonstrated impressive solar efficiencies in laboratory settings and align with Mercedes' description of a cost-effective, non-toxic photovoltaic material free from rare metals and silicon.
The primary challenge with perovskites lies in enhancing their durability against water and UV exposure – issues that Mercedes' researchers are likely focused on addressing.
As promising as this technology sounds, it is still in the research phase, and Mercedes has not announced a firm timeline for making the paint production-ready. All estimates and figures should therefore be viewed with cautious optimism. However, if the company can overcome these challenges, the future might feature EVs whose very exteriors contribute to their journeys' power supply.