Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian has filed a patent for heated headlight lenses, increasing driving safety in winter.
According to InsideEVs on Wednesday, the patent includes a resistive external element that heats the lenses using carbon nanotubes.
This development is interpreted as Rivian’s response to relieve the inconvenience of some Rivian owners about headlight performance in winter conditions. Rivian vehicle drivers have expressed frustration on Reddit over ice buildup on headlights in winter, which significantly reduces their effectiveness.
The issue is compounded by the fact that LED headlights don’t generate enough heat to melt snow and ice, often requiring drivers to scrape their lenses manually. In severe weather, drivers must stop every few miles to remove ice buildup, which significantly inconveniences them.
The patent, filed in June 2023 and made public last December, outlines a heating element that employs embedded carbon nanotubes to distribute heat evenly across the lens surface. According to the patent document, Rivian is considering adding a heating element with built-in carbon nanotubes. This heating element is engineered not to interfere with light passing through the lens.
However, it is unclear whether the technology will be applied to actual vehicles and which models might be the first to showcase this advancement.
