LUXEON power LEDs from Philips Lumileds are poised to rapidly increase their presence in front-of-vehicle applications with expected European Union regulations mandating daytime running lamps (DRLs) on new cars beginning in 2011.
One of the major factors driving LUXEON use will be the dramatic reduction in DRL power consumption (Watts), on the order of 80%, made possible by energy-efficient LED technology.
Audi and VW currently offer LUXEON-based daytime running lights, and several other carmakers are
preparing to release vehicles with LUXEON-based DRLs over 2008-09 as part of a movement to improve road safety by increasing vehicle visibility during daylight hours.
This energy savings is critical because DRLs built with conventional bulbs consume more power than any other exterior lighting application due to their always-on daylight use, potentially running afoul of today’s fuel economy standards.
A typical DRL solution with incandescent or halogen bulbs uses 40-80 Watts of power. LUXEON-based
DRLs consume 10 Watts of power or less because of the technology’s low power demands and energy
efficiency.
Given these benefits, any new regulation requiring DRLs is expected to drive broader LUXEON adoption for
daytime running lamps as well as other forward automotive lighting applications. Already, LUXEON
technology is lighting the world’s first all-LED headlight on the Audi R8 supercar.
“Today LED DRLs are used on fewer than 1% of vehicles, in part because daytime running lamps are not
required in most countries. If the new regulation by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe moves ahead as expected, it will increase that number dramatically because of the low power usage,
longevity and design flexibility of LEDs compared to conventional light sources,” said Scott Kern, Vice
President, Automotive Sales, for Philips Lumileds. “LUXEON LEDs promise to lead the market because of
their reliability, high quality white light, and proven performance in the automotive industry.”
Over the years, Philips Lumileds has pioneered many automotive exterior lighting applications with its
LUXEON, SuperFlux and SnapLED products. In addition to driving the industry’s first all-LED daytime
running lamp and all-LED headlamp, the company’s solid-state lighting technology has enabled the world’s
first all-LED rear combination lamp, first single-LED stop-tail lamp, first LED front-, rear- and side-mirror
turn signals.
One of the major factors driving LUXEON use will be the dramatic reduction in DRL power consumption (Watts), on the order of 80%, made possible by energy-efficient LED technology.
Audi and VW currently offer LUXEON-based daytime running lights, and several other carmakers are
preparing to release vehicles with LUXEON-based DRLs over 2008-09 as part of a movement to improve road safety by increasing vehicle visibility during daylight hours.
With the new EU regulations in place, slashing DRL power consumption
by 80% or more compared to
incandescent or halogen bulbs
will be the most important factor for LED adoption.
by 80% or more compared to
incandescent or halogen bulbs
will be the most important factor for LED adoption.
This energy savings is critical because DRLs built with conventional bulbs consume more power than any other exterior lighting application due to their always-on daylight use, potentially running afoul of today’s fuel economy standards.
A typical DRL solution with incandescent or halogen bulbs uses 40-80 Watts of power. LUXEON-based
DRLs consume 10 Watts of power or less because of the technology’s low power demands and energy
efficiency.
Given these benefits, any new regulation requiring DRLs is expected to drive broader LUXEON adoption for
daytime running lamps as well as other forward automotive lighting applications. Already, LUXEON
technology is lighting the world’s first all-LED headlight on the Audi R8 supercar.
“Today LED DRLs are used on fewer than 1% of vehicles, in part because daytime running lamps are not
required in most countries. If the new regulation by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe moves ahead as expected, it will increase that number dramatically because of the low power usage,
longevity and design flexibility of LEDs compared to conventional light sources,” said Scott Kern, Vice
President, Automotive Sales, for Philips Lumileds. “LUXEON LEDs promise to lead the market because of
their reliability, high quality white light, and proven performance in the automotive industry.”
Over the years, Philips Lumileds has pioneered many automotive exterior lighting applications with its
LUXEON, SuperFlux and SnapLED products. In addition to driving the industry’s first all-LED daytime
running lamp and all-LED headlamp, the company’s solid-state lighting technology has enabled the world’s
first all-LED rear combination lamp, first single-LED stop-tail lamp, first LED front-, rear- and side-mirror
turn signals.