Nissan Motor Co. has created the first self-cleaning vehicle, which is designed to get rid of the need for car-washing.
Engineers are currently testing Nissan's nano-paint technology, which repels dirt before it reaches the vehicle, according to Daily Mail.
Officials are testing the technology for the new Sunderland-built Nissan Note, which was first released last October.
The development of the self-cleaning vehicle involved engineers at Nissan Technical Center Europe applying a new super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint to a Nissan Versa Note hatchback. The paint is able to repel water and oil, Fox News reported.
Ultra Tech International created the coating, which is called Ultra-Ever Dry.
The coating being used in the tests is a prototype, Yahoo! Autos reported. Ultra-Ever Dry makes a layer of air between the paint and environment, causing dirt, mud and oil to roll off the surface when it makes contact with the car. Ultra-Ever Dry's function is similar to that of the coating Rain X, which uses polymers reacting with pores in the windshield glass to form a barrier that blocks off precipitation.
Nissan has experience with water-resistant coatings, offering products such as Scratch Shield for its cars.
A Nissan spokesman made a statement about the company's new development, the Daily Mail reported.
"Nissan Note is first car to trial paint which could make car washes obsolete," the spokesman said. "Washing a car can be a chore - and a costly one at that. In response, 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 Note currently has a "wash and blow dry" feature on its rear view camera. The feature uses water and compressed air to keep dirt off the lens automatically and makes sure the vehicle's safety sensors can work in all conditions.
The automotive manufacturer said it will test Ultra-Ever Dry "in the real world" over the next few months at its European Technical Center at Cranfield in Bedfordshire, Daily Mail reported.
"We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting edge technology like this incredible coating application," said Geraldine Ingham, chief marketing manager at Nissan.
