Toyota’s new ‘cool’ paint tech helps improve fuel efficiency

Toyota has developed a revolutionary new paint option that will literally make its Prius hybrid cooler―by keeping the heat out of the car's cabin.

Thermo-tect Lime Green is a loud, attention-grabbing hue that makes a statement as well as serves a purpose. The paint features energy-saving characteristics by refracting sunlight, which means that occupants can enjoy a greater sense of comfort within the cabin of the Prius without the guilt of needing to crank up the eco-un-friendly AC.

The paint itself has been purged of carbon black, a common coloring agent. Instead, Toyota has applied titanium dioxide, which is associated with bright shades like white. This makes the new Thermo-tect Lime Green function like a white or silver color would, in refracting the sun's heat off the surface of the car, effectively insulating the interior of the vehicle. This, in turn, keeps the cabin temperatures lower, meaning that less energy is wasted through use of the air conditioner and climate control systems. The technology developed keeping in mind the mandate of the Prius, as it improves the vehicle's fuel efficiency while reducing emissions.

The Thermo-tect is, in essence, like a heat-deflecting sunscreen for the car. Furthermore, it exhibits a certain resistance to discoloration by ultra-violet light, which is good news for the longevity of a sunny paint job.

Fumiko Igaki, color designer who worked on the new Prius, explained that the technology itself is applicable to other colors, but the "vivid yellow" (as she described it) was chosen to make a statement and draw attention to this breakthrough. The paint was sampled on the third generation of the Prius before being applied to the new Prius to demonstrate its benefits. Thermo-tect Lime Green is one of three new colors made available with the latest Prius but it is the only one infused with this technology.

The new paint technology is only available for the Japanese market currently, and it is limited to its debut shade for the time being.