Nissan is trying something unique in the automobile industry by introducing the first car that glows in the dark. The car-maker chose its highly-popular Leaf electric car to integrate the new technology.
The magic is all in the UV absorbing paint used to cover the car's exterior, a new concept that promotes the benefits of charging EVs (electric vehicles) with solar power panels. The organic paint used in the new Leaf EV absorbs the sun rays during the day and emits a blue glow in the dark for up to 10 hours.
The special type of paint, known as Starpath, is first of its kind to be used in a production vehicle. Starpath is the brain child of Nissan Europe and British inventor Hamish Scott. The paint uses organic ingredients and wouldn't pose a threat to environment. Also, the materials used in the paint allow it to last over two-and-a-half decade or so.
However, the glow-in-the-dark concept for Nissan Leaf is still in infancy and won't be available to buyers anytime soon. The ingredients used in the Starpath paint, including Strontium Aluminate, are rarely found, making it hard for large scale production, Examiner reports.
Besides the paint's lasting endurance, it will also help owners spot their cars easily in dark parking lot and also stay visible to others on pitch dark roads.
Nissan Leaf has a single-charge mileage of 75 miles, according to Consumer Reports listing and takes about six hours to charge. Nissan has been quite successful with its Leaf EV despite a tough competition from rivals like Chevrolet Spark EV, Fiat 500E, VW e-Golf, Ford Focus Electric, Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, Mitsubishi i-MiEV and Kia Soul EV.
Nissan Leaf ranges between $29,000 and $35,000, much like the other cars, except those in the luxurious category. Tesla and BMW offer customers the high-end experience with their electric hybrids Tesla Model S and BMWi3.
