Nissan's Game-Changing Paint Slashes Car Cabin Heat By 9°F

Nissan is testing a new automotive paint designed to lower vehicle cabin temperatures during summer and reduce air-conditioning energy use. This innovative paint, developed with Radi-Cool, uses metamaterial, synthetic composites with unique properties.

In November 2023, Nissan began a year-long trial at Tokyo International Air Terminal at Haneda. Collaborating with Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd., Radi-Cool Japan, and All Nippon Airways (ANA), they applied the paint to a Nissan NV100 service vehicle used by ANA airport services.

Haneda airport's large open tarmac provided an ideal setting for evaluating the paint's performance in high temperatures. The results have been promising so far. Vehicles treated with Nissan's cool paint showed up to a 21.6-degree Fahrenheit reduction in exterior surface temperature and up to 9-degree Fahrenheit cooler interiors compared to those with traditional paint.

The cooling effect is particularly evident when vehicles are parked under the sun for long periods. A cooler cabin not only enhances comfort but also reduces air-conditioning run-time, easing the load on the engine or battery in electric vehicles. This leads to improved efficiency and occupant comfort.

Nissan's cool paint contains two microstructure particles that react to light. One particle reflects near-infrared rays that usually cause heat through molecular vibrations in traditional paint resin. The second particle creates electromagnetic waves that counteract the sun's rays, redirecting energy away from the vehicle into the atmosphere.

Dr. Susumu Miura, senior manager at Nissan Research Center, leads this development. He has previously worked on noise-reducing materials and aims to create cooler cars without extra energy consumption. "My dream is to create cooler cars without consuming energy," Miura stated. "This is especially important in the EV era."

Radiant cooling paint isn't new but is typically used for buildings and structures, often applied thickly with a roller and lacking a clear topcoat, which can leave a chalky residue.

Miura faced challenges adapting radiant cooling paint for automotive use. It needed a clear topcoat, spray gun application, and compliance with Nissan's quality standards. Since 2021, Miura's team has tested over 100 samples and is currently evaluating a thickness of 120 microns—six times thicker than typical automotive paint.

They confirmed resistance to salt, chipping, peeling, scratches, chemical reactions, color consistency, and repairability. As development continues, they aim to explore thinner options that maintain cooling performance.

Although still under development, Miura hopes this paint will be available for special orders in various colors one day. He sees significant potential for light commercial vehicles like vans and trucks that spend most of their time driving.

The project aligns with Nissan's goal of creating innovative solutions for cleaner and more sustainable transportation options while enhancing vehicle efficiency and passenger comfort.