Do you feel that the days are getting hotter than before? Older people may recall that the world seemed cooler when they were small and now, temperatures are higher most of the time. It’s not your imagination: according to the World Meteorological Organization, the world is getting hotter and global temperature is likely to exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial level temporarily in next 5 years.
Greenhouse gases causing temperature rise
This is largely attributed to climate change and the accumulation of ‘greenhouse gases’ – carbon dioxide or CO2 – which are trapping more heat in the air. The auto industry is working towards reducing CO2 emissions as one approach, while other industries are also working on other solutions.
Meanwhile, motorists in cars continue to rely on air-conditioners to keep them cool. Generally, these cooling systems work well but they do use energy, whether it is electricity or from petrol running the engine which drives the compressor.
Improving energy efficiency
Reducing the increases in temperature in the cabin caused by heat from sunshine would help to reduce demand on the air-conditioning system, improving energy efficiency and enhancing comfort.
New temperature control technologies
Hyundai Motor and Kia have been working on such a solution with new temperature control technologies and it has developed a Nano Cooling Film that can lower interior temperature by over 12°C. This will not only improve comfort but also save energy, allowing efficient management of vehicle energy in the era of electrification.
Applying tinted film on the glass around the cabin is not new and there are modern technologies which enhance the film’s ability to reduce or cut off harmful solar radiation which transmits heat into the cabin.
The new Nano Cooling Film employs various advanced nano-material technologies which not only block infra-red radiation from outside the vehicle (like traditional tinting films), but also allows heat to escape from inside the vehicle.
No impact on light transmission
The film comprises 3 layers, including two that reflect solar energy and one that emits mid-infrared wavelength. it can be used with existing tinting films without further impacting light transmission, an important factor in driving safety as well as meeting regulations in many countries.
In tests, vehicles with regular glass not covered with Nano Cooling Film recorded an interior temperature of 48.5°C, compared with 36.0°C for the vehicles having Nano Cooling Film. This demonstrated that it was possible to achieve a maximum temperature reduction of 12.5°C with the advanced technology.
Tested in Pakistan
Last April, Hyundai Motor conducted a campaign called ‘Made Cooler by Hyundai’, in which it installed transparent Nano Cooling Film for free on some 70 vehicles in Pakistan, where tinting is prohibited. The cooling benefits were greatly experienced and appreciated by the motorists.
In June, Hyundai Motor and Kia appeared at Cannes Lions 2024, the world’s largest advertising festival. They were invited as official seminar speakers to introduce their Nano Cooling Film technology and discuss the campaign launched in Pakistan. This marked the first time Hyundai Motor, among car manufacturers, hosted an official technology seminar at the Cannes Lions.
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