The German brand’s engineers will introduce the new option by 2024. Customers will be able to choose in the configurator either a Mercedes-Benz model with a conventional roof or with an ultra-thin solar panel. The battery cells are specially designed for the company’s electric cars. They are based on crystalline silicon. How serial electric cars with such panels will look like, the German brand showed on the example of the Vision EQXX concept. The novelty was demonstrated at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2022) event in Las Vegas. “The most efficient car” in addition to the minimum coefficient of aerodynamic drag, has received an additional power reserve. That’s up to 25 kilometres of driving range due to a solar roof with 117 modules.
The panels were developed by the Group together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. In total, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX can travel up to 1,000 kilometres without recharging, while remaining in the range of compact electric vehicles. Its 100 kWh battery is 50 per cent smaller in size than standard batteries of the same capacity.
The energy generated by the roof-mounted batteries is stored in a lithium-iron-phosphate battery and is used to power the climate control fan, lighting, multimedia system and other auxiliary devices.
Also, from 2024, the concern will produce electric cars with the brand’s signature transmission. So far, the company is purchasing gearboxes from third-party suppliers. The manufacturer keeps secret the main characteristics of the future transmission. It is known that the in-house development will allow the brand to strengthen its position in the electric transport market and make the cars more reliable.
