[Mark07]

For many drivers, EV's are a great choice. Like any car, they have their pro's and con's, but could there be a technological step forward on the horizon that make EV's the obvious choice moving forward?

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/dri...tric-vehicles/

Mercedes have announced plans to develop solar paint which could provide power for the car - charging the battery whilst in use or switched off.

Claims that the paint could provide upto 12,000kms (7456 miles) per year sound like a potential game changer.

If this magic paint becomes to a reality and those range claims are vaguely accurate, could we see lighter, cheaper EV's with smaller batteries?

I wonder if this same paint could be used in other industries e.g. construction?

[Rolebama]

I vaguely remember something similar from a few years ago. The idea then was to use a wrap. There were two drawbacks mentioned, the first was connecting the wrap to the vehicle circuitry to get the amount of electricity to the battery, and the second was the cost of repair coupled with what would happen in the event of a scratch in the wrap. If the industry adopted the idea then the cost of replacing the wrap would probably increase basic insurance premiums across the board.
Personally, I see the image of the headline in my mind: 'Govt to tax sunshine'.

[Mark07]

Haha, it'd be the window tax all over again.

Those drawbacks make sense. If they were to also apply here, I'm hopeful that cost effective solutions could be found.

[Beelzebub]

Instead of spending squillions of Euros developing this new technology, why not simply put solar panels on the roof and bonnet? I'm sure they could easily be made aesthetically pleasing.

[Mark07]

I've absolutely wondered the same thing over the years, I assume they're too heavy in their current form to be viable.

If it could be done, the convenience of waking up to a charged car (for some of the year) and extending range would be fantastic. In summer months, perhaps cars could even push a small surplus back into the national grid.

[olduser]

If there was a solar panel on the back, you get another car to follow you home with his head lights on if you ran out of charge at night.🙄

[NMNeil]

Sorry to be a nay sayer but; " As an advanced research project, it’s too soon to know if this solar paint will make it to production" is a long way from "We are proud to introduce our new solar paint"
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money...g/76508254007/
But here's hoping that it comes to pass.