As part of the CES 2022, BMW presented new technology for its electric cars: A version of the BMW iX with the suffix “Flow” can change color at the touch of a button. But such a feature could bring problems.
The CES 2022 sends greetings again, electrical manufacturers traditionally present new products – or simply show what they can do. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink belongs in the latter category. The bulky-titled electric car from Bavaria is said to be able to Change the color of the body be able.
BMW iX Flow: e-car can change monochrome colors
However, it is not as colorful as the E Ink can only black or white. Color pigments are embedded in the foil, which are brought to the surface by means of magnetic activation and thus become visible. A small current impulse is enough and black becomes white or vice versa:
According to BMW, drivers should adapt their electric car and theirs Express personality or current mood – the Instagramification of the car has started and should also play a major role in the vehicle interior in the future.
E-car in black and white with a longer range
So is the BMW iX Flow just a nice gimmick? Not only because BMW sees in the color change also practical use, related to the reflectivity of different colors. If the electric car heats up too much in the summer heat, for example, you switch to a white exterior and save energy that would otherwise be used for the air conditioning. Conversely, in winter, the load on the heating system could be relieved.
In this way, the e-ink foil can support e-cars in terms of range. Recently, however, range was not an important issue for BMW. Depending on the weather and light situation, BMW drivers could also use one color or the other to see better being.
It has not been announced whether BMW plans to equip production-ready cars – whether combustion engines or electric – with E Ink. Before that, you would have to clear a few hurdles. So Last but not least, there should be problems with road approval for the new feature. After all, the vehicle registration document has so far included the color as a necessary information. BMW would have to come up with something for that.