Mar 31 2008
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 LUXEON 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 the next 12 to 18 months as part of a movement to improve road safety by increasing vehicle visibility during daylight hours.
LUXEON LEDs are being used today as a DRL light source for the unique styling possibilities they offer. 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. 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.