Global paints and coatings major Axalta has announced its 2021 global automotive colour of the year – ‘ElectroLight’, which is formulated with reflective properties that make it highly visible to light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems, while its layer structure and pigment content are easily transmissible by radio detection and ranging (radar) systems.
Axalts said that with fully autonomous vehicles close to becoming a reality, which will increasingly rely on LiDAR and radar technology to see and interact with the world around them, ElectroLight meets industry safety standards and improves the performance of both types of systems, making it a stand-out color option in both trend and technology.
A statement from the company described the new colour as an “expressively refreshing green-yellow hue with inspired bold, contemporary flavors that echo style, energy and flair”.
“The unique personality of ElectroLight evokes a blend of sporty design elements with functional performance and offers great versatility when combined with two-tone charcoal color accents or matte finishes on a variety of mobility solutions,” said the statement from Axalta.
Hadi Awada, senior vice president at Axalta, added: “Offering innovative products that are ahead of the curve is what we live and breathe every day at Axalta. ElectroLight is another step toward illuminating a path for a green future for all type of vehicles, including autonomous vehicles. Formulated with mobility-sensing technology, ElectroLight combines a passion for individualization with coating science into a functional, expressive and dynamic colour.”
Nancy Lockhart, global product manager of colour at Axalta, said: “Our 2021 colour evokes sustainability, happiness and safety. ElectroLight is at the forefront of today’s colour trends, while anticipating emerging technology advances. Consumers are looking for a breakout colour and ElectroLight manifests this, while bringing a progressive approach to automotive styling and design.”
While Axalta’s 2020 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report shows that white remains the most frequently purchased automotive color globally, interest in automotive colors with a more customized and personalized look are becoming increasingly desired by consumers. Green has influenced both blue and yellow color palettes within today’s vehicle market trends, driving colors into a more eco-centric theme. This includes Sea Glass – a green-shade of blue and Axalta’s 2020 Global Automotive Color of the Year – and now ElectroLight – a yellow-shade of green.
Axalta added that its environmentally responsible range provides low-volatile organic compound (VOC) products and efficient solutions for all applications from snowmobiles to light vehicles, to amusement park rides and more.
