Even more safety at night or in fog — such is the objective of the Mercedes engineers in developing a new type of car number plate which, thanks to the latest lighting technology, is self-illuminating and thus much more easily seen than conventional number plates.
This is made possible by a fine electro-luminescent foil (ELF) layer, just a few millimetres thick. This is applied behind the number itself which, as part of this new development, is also on a transparent foil. In what is known as a through-lighting process, the EL foil illuminates the whole surface area of the number plate from the back. This produces an evenly bright and clearly visible illuminated surface, which is thus an important safety feature at the rear of the car. In addition, the transparent foil on which the registration number is printed features a special coating that also reflects the light from the headlamps of following vehicles.
The new-style self-illuminating number plate makes superfluous the light bulbs that are used today to illuminate conventional number plates. Since less space is therefore needed in the rear bumper or in the car's bodywork, new opportunities are available to the stylists designing a car's rear end.
Mercedes-Benz will continue to develop the self-illuminating number plate ready for series introduction. Approval for this new development has already been applied for by the Stuttgart brand from the relevant authorities.
