Rivian aims to solve a unique challenge with LED headlights through a new patent filing — keeping them clear of snow, ice, and rain. The electric vehicle maker’s solution involves adding heated lenses to its trucks and SUVs.
Modern LED headlights, while more energy-efficient than their halogen or HID predecessors, have an unexpected drawback. They don’t generate enough waste heat to naturally melt accumulated moisture and ice — something the older technology did automatically.
The automaker’s patent application, filed with the USPTO on Jun. 21, 2023 and published Dec. 26, 2024, details an innovative approach using carbon nanotubes.
These microscopic carbon structures — tube-shaped lattices less than a nanometer in diameter — would be applied to the headlight’s outer lens. A silver heating element surrounds this layer, warming up to keep precipitation from building up on the surface.
Carbon nanotubes are particularly well-suited for this application due to their exceptional heat-conducting properties.
The concept follows a broader industry trend of finding energy-efficient heating solutions for EVs. While heated seats and seat belts have gained attention for their efficiency in keeping passengers warm, Rivian’s focus here is specifically on maintaining clear visibility in challenging weather conditions.
Despite filing the patent, there’s no guarantee this technology will appear in production vehicles anytime soon. Rivian currently has other major initiatives underway — including the launch of its more affordable R2 electric SUV in 2026 and the opening of a new Georgia manufacturing facility by 2028. The Georgia plant’s development is expected to benefit from a $6.6 billion federal loan.
