A solar coating on your EV could boost its range

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz is working on a new technology that will enable an electric vehicle to increase its range by charging its battery while driving, thanks to a solar coating covering almost the entire vehicle.

According to their initial tests, this solution could generate enough electricity to cover more than 12,000 km per year.

The solar paint coating is just five micrometres thick — less than a human hair — and weighs just 50 grams per square meter.

Theoretically, it could be applied transparently to the bodywork of electric vehicles, given that this active photovoltaic surface is highly malleable and can be applied to any surface.

According to the German automaker's calculations, a surface area of 11 square metres — equivalent to that of a medium-sized SUV — could generate enough energy to cover up to 12,000km a year under ideal conditions (the projections were based on those of Stuttgart, where the tests were carried out).

This system has the advantage of working continuously, even when the vehicle is stationary. In the future, it could therefore be a particularly effective solution for increasing the range of EVs and reducing their charging time.

Of course, its performance depends on the intensity of sunlight.

For example, Mercedes-Benz drivers here cover an average of 52km a day. With this type of coating, around 62% of this distance would be covered by solar energy.

But in Los Angeles, where there is more sunshine, almost 100% of the distance could be covered by solar energy. Any surplus power could then be fed directly into the home grid via a two-way charging station.

In addition to its technological performance, this solution has the advantage of being environmentally friendly, since it's composed of materials that are readily available and uses no rare or toxic components.

It would also be much cheaper to produce than conventional solar modules and easier to recycle.

The idea now is to develop this concept so that it fits on any of the brand's models, whatever the shape of its bodywork.