The rise of the electric vehicle (EV) signals a global revolution in mobility, bringing with it a wealth of challenges, opportunities, and uncertainties. And automotive brands are already preparing for an all-electric future. By 2028, EVs are forecasted to make up 16% of the automotive market. And by 2033, Ernst & Young predicts that EV sales will overtake internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales in the US, Europe, and China. This transition will be accelerated even further when the EU effectively bans the sale of all new petrol and diesel vehicles in 2035.
This period of dramatic change for the transport sector will require ambitious infrastructure changes, such as the increased rollout of public charging points, alongside further improvements in battery technology. And of course, consumers expect all these advances to be underpinned by sustainable sourcing and production methods throughout the value chain.
But the EV transition has another dimension: the growing sophistication of automotive interiors. This trend is already visible in today’s EV cabins, which have a more futuristic feel than their internal combustion equivalents. With smart screens, haptic feedback surfaces, and unprecedented levels of driver control, EV cabins increasingly resemble something from a science fiction movie!
Which trends are driving the industry?
Future technological advances – especially autonomous driving and shared mobility – will make interiors an even more important factor in purchase decisions. Though unlikely to become mainstream before the end of the decade, driverless cars and shared journeys both form key parts of future mobility. Experts envisage cars being used more like a fleet, with reduced rates of car ownership and communal ride-sharing becoming more widespread. To make this system of mass transit viable, interiors need to be easily cleanable whilst maintaining a luxurious feel.
Meanwhile, for those who continue to own a car, autonomous driving will transform the automobile into a sort of “second home”. In place of engine performance and driving satisfaction, the comfort and style of a car’s interior will become top of mind for more and more automotive consumers. And there is evidence that this shift has already begun: a recent McKinsey study showed that interiors were already the second most important factor for consumers when choosing which EV to buy – meaning interiors are the future battleground where the fortunes of automotive brands will be decided.
How can we help?
This is where Stahl comes in. As a proponent of responsible chemistry, we’ve spent decades pioneering a range of solutions for low-impact, high-performance automotive interiors. The first of these is Stahl Stay Clean®: a dirt-repelling, anti-soiling, anti-scratch coating that protects against stains caused by natural and manmade substances, such as dirt, coffee, and dye. It can be used on leather and synthetics – perfect for (autonomous) EVs with a high passenger turnover.
Because EVs are so quiet on the road, other noises in the cabin (such as squeaks and creaks) become more noticeable – and potentially irritating. That’s why we developed Stahl Stay Silent®, a new anti-squeak finish that offers advanced noise prevention for interior components, such as car seats and dashboards. It also offers a wealth of additional features to help you achieve a luxurious driving experience – including low VOC content, high abrasion resistance, and soft-touch haptics, making it ideal for the unique demands of EV driving.
Creature comforts
To help manufacturers create luxurious interiors that look as good as they feel, we’ve developed PolyMatte®, our most advanced luxury matting agent. It not only provides an extreme low-gloss finish but also has enhanced scratch and abrasion resistance properties, allowing leather or synthetics to retain their aesthetic qualities over extended periods. And PolyMatte® doesn’t just make components look great; it’s got excellent haptics, too – making your car interiors so comfortable that passengers won’t want to leave! And, as with many of our products, Stahl offers a bio-based option for our PolyMatte® range.
We also offer a full portfolio of leather technologies: we’ve brought all our responsible chemistry know-how to the entire leathermaking process, from leather tanning to finishing, giving manufacturers greater control over cabin designs than ever before. And thanks to our Stahlite® technology we can help OEMs make leather components 30% lighter – allowing you to improve overall vehicle efficiency with no need to compromise on quality.
Eco-friendly interiors
Low-impact Seat & Trim solutions are essential to reducing the environmental impact of EV production. The next step on this journey is Stahl NuVera®, a range of renewable-carbon-based polyurethanes. Unlike other polyurethanes, Stahl NuVera® products are made using bio-based feedstocks and captured carbon from industrial processes. And thanks to Stahl’s polyurethane expertise, Stahl NuVera® helps you achieve environmentally optimized components with exceptional performance qualities. By reducing the use of fossil fuel derivatives in polyurethane production, Stahl NuVera® helps OEMs and manufacturers make further reductions to their Scope 3 emissions and take us one step closer to a circular economy.
The road to responsible interiors
The trend toward autonomous vehicles, ride-sharing, and sustainable design are already contributing to the growing importance of luxurious and advanced automotive interiors. With cars increasingly taking on the role of a “home away from home”, Stahl’s future-focused Seat & Trim portfolio helps OEMs and auto manufacturers give their products all the comforts of home. To help your customers meet these growing consumer demands, the best time to invest in the future of automotive interiors is now!
Want to find out more?
Learn more about our Seat & Trim product portfolio by downloading the brochure today. Or find out more about our performance coatings offering.