LED lighting is a complete paradigm shift in vehicle lighting. Filament bulbs have been the only means for providing illumination in and on vehicles since 1910, when the first electric lamps were fitted to a production model. Now, solid-state technology provides many benefits to the auto companies for styling and packaging, as well as promising a significant environmental impact: fuel savings.

LEDs require less than one-third the energy to provide an equivalent level of light compared with incandescent light sources, so the energy savings is evident from the start. Most luxury vehicles today are using LEDs for some of their rear lighting functions, but the steady reduction in the cost of LEDs and the availability of even higher output versions could provide major energy savings for a vehicle if used in all exterior lighting applications. That means better fuel economy and a corollary reduction in air pollutants...