Electrifying Illumination: The Accelerated Adoption of Ambient Lighting in the Car Industry.

The advent of electric vehicles (EVs) has brought more than just zero-emission transportation. It has also unlocked a series of transformative shifts within the automobile industry, from self-driving technology to impressive improvements in in-car comfort and aesthetics. Among these game-changing trends is the dramatic increase in the use of ambient lighting, an often overlooked but crucial component of the modern car experience.

The synergy between EVs and ambient lighting is not coincidental but rather a reflection of the mutually beneficial relationship between the two technologies. In this post, we'll examine how the electrification of the automobile industry has catalyzed the widespread adoption of ambient lighting in cars. We will discuss the consequences as well.

Ambient Lighting: More Than Just Decoration

Let's begin with the basics. Ambient lighting in cars, or automotive interior lighting, refers to the use of light to create an aesthetically pleasing and functional interior environment. This includes dashboard lights, reading lights, footwell lights, and door handle lights. As cars evolved from mere means of transportation to mobile living spaces, so too has the importance of ambient lighting.

NB: Quite often, I've seen professionals, including myself, who use the terms illumination and lighting interchangeably. Just remember that Illumination is the transmission of natural light (windows), while Lighting is the distribution of artificial light (lamps). 

Previously, lighting in cars was primarily functional - meant to highlight essential controls or provide necessary visibility in low-light conditions. However, with the evolution of consumer preferences and technological advancements, ambient lighting is increasingly seen as an integral aspect of a car's overall design language, playing a critical role in enhancing both the aesthetic and the emotional experience of drivers and passengers.

Electrification as the Catalyst

The electrification of the automobile industry has been a primary driver of this shift towards more extensive and creative use of ambient lighting. But how exactly has this occurred? Let's dive into the specifics from the automotive industry perspective:

• Increased Energy Efficiency: Electric vehicles are far more energy-efficient compared to their combustion-engine counterparts. This efficiency leaves more available power for non-essential systems, such as ambient lighting. Traditional cars had to conserve their electrical energy for essential functions, limiting the scope and scale of interior lighting designs. In contrast, the surplus energy in EVs allows designers to implement more extensive and creative ambient lighting features.

• Improved Battery Technology: The batteries used in EVs have improved significantly over the years, both in terms of capacity and efficiency. This has resulted in longer-lasting power reserves, enabling the incorporation of additional features, such as ambient lighting, without significantly affecting the vehicle's range or performance.

• The Rise of Smart Technology: Smarter, more connected vehicles come with electrification. The integration of advanced sensors and AI capabilities has given rise to intelligent lighting systems. These systems can adjust lighting based on various parameters such as time of day, weather conditions, and even the mood of the occupants. In a sense, cars are becoming more like our homes, with personalized environments that adjust to our needs and preferences.

• Brand Differentiation: As the EV market grows increasingly competitive, manufacturers are seeking ways to differentiate their offerings. Unique, customizable ambient lighting has emerged as a compelling feature that can help to set a vehicle apart from the competition, enhancing brand appeal and customer loyalty.

• Sustainable Materials in Car Interior: Ambient lighting may directly impact the quality perception of materials execution, surface finish, or color & gloss properties. Shortly, you can "kill" material with the wrong lighting or make it shine even more.

you can "kill" material with bad lighting or make it shine even more.

But what about drivers and passengers, people who use ambient light? What do they think?

I am happy to acknowledge that we were pioneers in exploring this particular domain. Back in 2020, we brought forth a research paper titled "Understanding Light. A study on the perceived quality of car exterior lighting and interior illumination." I owe heartfelt gratitude to CEVT and my brilliant co-authors - Anna Woxlin, Louise S. Siljefalk, Emelie Heimersson, and Rikard Söderberg - for making this research possible.

This publication swiftly spurred an array of academic investigations, such as "Evidence for human-centric in-vehicle lighting," "User Responses to Dynamic Light in Automobiles," "Affective responses to chromatic ambient light in a vehicle," and "Training Subjective Perception Biased Images of Vehicle Ambient Lights with Deep Belief Networks," to name a few. And there's more to come.

What we uncovered in our initial research was intriguing; we found that the value placed on various functions of ambient lighting differed across age groups.

As we embarked on data collection for our next venture, Intended Future, the scenario started to crystallize. Our data sets, comprising 2000 car drivers from the USA and Germany, depicted a clear correlation between EV or PHEV ownership and the significance of ambient light for a driver.

We coined this phenomenon the "cable experience"

We coined this phenomenon the "cable experience," as it came to light that owners of ICE and Hybrid powered vehicles showed, in opposite, a greater interest in paint quality. Old vs. New in its prime!

The lesson for automakers from our research is clear and direct - a deliberate focus on ambient lighting is non-negotiable, and customers consciously anticipate this feature to be integral to their vehicles. The demand for this feature is poised to only surge in the future.

In conclusion, the electrification of the automobile industry has not only paved the way for cleaner, more efficient transportation but has also accelerated the adoption of ambient lighting in cars. By offering a more customizable, immersive, and comfortable experience, ambient lighting is transforming the way we perceive and interact with our vehicles. As EV technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative applications of ambient lighting, further enriching our automotive experiences.

Intended Future, a pioneer in this research, offers Customer Acceptance Index™ as a strategic planning tool for automotive Design VPs, Design, Product Planning, and Marketing teams.

Come talk to us, and we can shape the future together!