Nissan’s no-clean car

Car washes could be consigned to history as Nissan develops the first “self-cleaning” car prototype.

It may sound like an April Fool, but Nissan has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again.

The specially engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils, has been applied to a Nissan Note to create the world’s first self-cleaning car.

Nissan claims to be the first carmaker to apply the technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry®, on automotive bodywork.

By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car’s surface.

Nissan says the coating, which is being marketed and sold by UltraTech International Inc®, has responded well to rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water.

It’s not the first time ‘self-cleaning’ technology has been used on the Note. The car already features a ‘wash and blow dry’ function on its rear view camera.

Water and compressed air are used automatically to keep the lens free of dirt and ensure the Note’s safety sensors work in all conditions.