At the Auto Shanghai 2025 motor show, Mercedes-Benz presented the developments it is currently working intensively on in the field of electromobility. Prominent among the innovative concepts is the so-called ‘solar paint’ – an ultra-thin photovoltaic coating that can significantly extend the range of electric cars using solar energy.
New approach to solar energy
Instead of classic solar panels on the roof, Mercedes is testing photovoltaics that can be applied directly to the bodywork, like a layer of paint. The technology is based on extremely thin solar modules that are only five micrometres thick. Thanks to their flexibility, they can cover almost any surface of the car, regardless of its shape. Importantly, the coating does not use silicon or rare earth elements, which lowers production costs and is in line with sustainability. The materials are non-toxic, widely available and fully recyclable.
Solar paint and its impact on daily operations
According to the manufacturer’s estimates, the paint achieves an efficiency of 20 per cent, which can translate into up to 20,000 additional kilometres per year under the right sunlight conditions. In Los Angeles, for example, a coating of 11sq m. (the average for an SUV) can generate enough energy to get the car through a whole year without needing to be recharged from a socket. In Beijing, that’s around 14,000 km, and in less sunny Stuttgart, up to 12,000 km per year. Tests show that in conditions such as in Stuttgart, where the average daily distance is 52 km, the solar paint can provide enough energy to cover about 62% of this distance. In Los Angeles, by contrast, the vehicle was able to travel twice the daily distance, powered solely by the sun’s rays.
New technologies on board
“Solar paint” is just one part of a broad package of innovations that Mercedes-Benz is working on. The group’s engineers are also developing a new type of microinverter that operates at the level of the individual battery cells. These enable precise voltage management and make it possible to maintain a constant 800 volts regardless of the state of charge. This allows greater charging flexibility and more efficient energy management. In parallel, a new braking system is being developed in which the entire mechanism has been integrated into the drive, rather than being located at the wheels as before. This is expected to reduce mechanical wear, eliminate the need for servicing and reduce dust emissions. The manufacturer declares that this solution will also be quieter and more resistant to corrosion.
Artificial intelligence inspired by the brain
Together with the University of Waterloo in Canada, Mercedes is also developing neuromorphic computing systems, which are computer systems modelled on the human brain. These are intended to improve the efficiency and speed of artificial intelligence in cars, which will translate, among other things, into better recognition of road signs, pedestrians and other vehicles, even in reduced visibility.
Revisiting the solar roof concept
This is not Mercedes’ first approach to using solar energy. Already a few years ago, the company, in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute, presented the Vision EQXX with a classic solar roof based on silicon cells. This time, however, the concern is going a step further by integrating the technology into the entire body surface. Although ‘solar paint’ is still in the experimental phase, its potential seems enormous. If the concept is put into series production, it could revolutionise the approach to charging electric cars, or at least in parts of the world where the sun is not in short supply.
Source: gadget.co.uk, mercedes-benz.co.uk
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