Automakers are utilizing superior glass coatings to maintain automobile cabins cool, assuaging the air-conditioning load as summer season sweeps India, sending temperatures previous 45°C in some cities. The push comes as automobile sizes, glass floor areas and thermal masses develop with the shift towards bigger autos akin to SUVs and electrical fashions requiring elevated battery pack area.
With glass sometimes comprising 25-30% of a automobile’s floor space, and that share rising persistently with elevated sunroof adoption, moderating the solar’s fierce warmth with glazing is changing into crucial, automobile makers mentioned. Over the previous few years, common windshield space has elevated 8% and complete glass floor is up 12% as vehicles have change into larger, in response to Jato Dynamics estimates.
Automotive glass suppliers have developed specialised solar-reflective coatings incorporating ultra-thin layers of steel oxides akin to silver, zinc and tin. These clear metallised coatings take up photo voltaic infrared radiation to cut back inside temperatures. Amid rising world temperatures, the function of superior glass coatings is a must have resolution to beat the searing summer season warmth. Their widespread adoption aligns with automobile electrification and enhanced security options, mentioned specialists.
Luxurious automobile makers akin to Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, BMW have been prioritising these thermally-insulated glass applied sciences. Main suppliers like Asahi, Saint-Gobain and Webasto supply specialised automotive glazing merchandise.
Mercedes equips choose top-end fashions such because the EQS 580 sedan, GLS SUV, Maybach GLS 600, Maybach S680 and Maybach S580 with “acoustic consolation packages” fitted with infrared-absorbing laminated glass.
“Not solely does this particular glazing block dangerous UV rays, it reduces exterior noise penetration and prevents extreme warmth build-up within the cabin, even throughout India’s harshest summers,” mentioned Santosh Iyer, MD, Mercedes-Benz India.
At Volvo Automotive India, “we prioritise consolation and security by cutting-edge warmth and UV safety applied sciences like infrared-reflecting coatings on our sunroofs,” mentioned MD Jyoti Malhotra. “This blocks about 80% of photo voltaic warmth acquire to make sure optimum cabin temperatures.”
Audi India mentioned heat-reflecting windshields and facet glass are deployed in a number of fashions such because the A8, Q8, RS5 and the e-tron EV, although not silver-based coatings particularly. The elevated thermal load from bigger EV battery packs makes efficient cabin cooling options much more important.
“For excessive situations like the present warmth wave, windshields and sunroofs with silver-based coatings can lower cabin air temperatures in comparison with standard glazing and clients are actually demanding comfy cabin environments,” mentioned a senior government at a glass and window options firm.
Metallised coatings are only the start in relation to high-tech automotive glazing options for excessive climate, mentioned Ravi Bhatia, regional director, Jato Dynamics.
“Growing use of head-up shows, 5G connectivity and even built-in antennas will necessitate coatings to regulate photo voltaic warmth,” he mentioned. Managing warmth will change into paramount for glass suppliers and so they’ll be pushed to create extra refined coatings combining photo voltaic management and electromagnetic properties, Bhatia mentioned.
