Porsche Patents Color-Changing Body Panels for Racing Stripes and EV Battery Indicators

Porsche has filed a patent for body panels that can change color electronically, enabling drivers to toggle racing stripes on or off with a button press. The system could also function as an exterior battery gauge for future electric vehicles (EVs).

How the Technology Works

The patent, first spotted by Jalopnik, describes an “actively controllable, optically variable coating” applied to exterior body panels. When voltage is applied, the coating alters its appearance, switching between colors or patterns. Porsche suggests two potential methods for this technology: electronic paper or paramagnetic coatings, both of which can change color when electricity is introduced.

This type of color-shifting technology is not new—it’s already used in glass panels to toggle transparency on command—but Porsche’s innovation lies in applying it to body panels instead of glass. According to the patent, the system could activate “rally stripes” when the car enters Sport mode. Additional accents, such as lighting around the diffuser or side blades behind the rear wheels, could also be illuminated.

Functional and Aesthetic Applications

The patent highlights both cosmetic and practical uses for the technology. Cosmetically, racing stripes could help differentiate identical cars during competitions. Functionally, the same coating could serve as an exterior battery gauge for EVs. For example:

• A panel might glow green when the battery is nearly full.
• It could turn yellow when the battery is running low.
• The panel might display red when the battery is close to empty.

This would allow drivers to check their vehicle’s charge status at a glance without opening an app or looking at the dashboard.

Industry Trends and Future Possibilities

While Porsche has not confirmed whether or when this technology will reach production, the patent reflects a growing trend in the automotive industry toward dynamic, interactive exteriors. Similar innovations are increasingly appearing at the cutting edge of vehicle design, suggesting that color-changing body panels could soon become a reality in future models.

"Soon, someone will likely put this tech into production. Here’s hoping Porsche makes it happen—and lets other automakers license the technology."

The patent was published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and credited to Porsche.