High-power LEDs in cars are there for the brand statement
What’s the status of incorporating high-power LEDs in cars? Most engineers working with power-miserly electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) say that the highly efficient high-brightness (HB) LEDs are currently too expensive.
But here are some conventional cars that have announced and have photos of their LED headlamps and/or daytime running lights:
The Lexus LS600h low-beam headlamps uses HB LEDs, and according to their sales literature, “Each headlamp is fitted with five LED lights, which have a subtle blue tint, giving this LS a more modern appearance.”
T
he Audi R8 has the coolest headlights – claimed to be the first all-LED headlamps in a production car – that use individual white and yellow LEDs as a kind of eye-liner around the main LEDs.
And the Cadillac Escalade Platinum, due out in August has a distinctive white bar of light on the outside of the headlamp – try doing that with an incandescent bulb.
White bars, eye-liner, blue-hued headlights – designers of these cars are using LEDs for branding, not energy efficiency. That branding isn’t necessary for the much-anticipated Chevy Volt PHEV or Tesla EV, and they’ll make do with the less-expensive traditional headlamps, at least until HB LED prices fall.
BobG, UK commented:
Bill commented:
Darren Holdstock, UK commented:
not_suprised_ever commented:
coach commented:
Scunnerous commented:
Scott commented:
