BASF and Daimler showcase Smart Forvision concept car in New Delhi

October 30, 2012: BASF, global supplier of chemical products, has displayed the ‘Smart Forvision’ concept car at the Indo-German Urban Mela currently underway in New Delhi. Based on the theme of sustainable urbanisation, the concept car has been Jointly developed by BASF and Daimler, the concept car combines a futuristic design with innovative technologies in the areas of energy efficiency, light weight design and temperature management.

Daimler has contributed its expertise and BASF has put together its material and system competence for developing the Smart Forvision that depicts technologies of holistic electric mobility for the future. The concept was first showcased at the 2011 International Motor Show at Frankfurt.

The concept car uses a mixture of plastic materials and technologies with some of them still being at the laboratory stage while others have a possibility of being leveraged for series production, according to Prasad Chandran, chairman and managing director, BASF India (pictured).

Some of the highlights of the concept car are use of transparent organic solar cells, and transparent organic light emitting diodes, all-plastic wheels, new lightweight body components and infrared-reflective films and coatings to reduce the vehicle’s energy consumption and increase its range and practicality. Some of the new materials and technologies used in the car will enable the electric car to generate energy as well.



The concept vehicle features power-generating solar cells based on organic-chemical dyes on the roof. Combined together with OLEDs ( (organic light-emitting diodes), the vehicle’s roof which is covered with solar cells leads to lowering of CO2 emissions while creating a novel design.

Besides, BASF is also working on solutions for producing electricity from renewable energies such as wind and solar power.

SHOBHA MATHUR