LEDs have already been replacing light bulbs in car interiors - now they are used as signal and tail lights. Soon, they will probably be used as headlights. They last much longer and use less energy.

MSNBC Story

 

I've seen motorcycles with LED headlights - but I haven't been impressed with the shape/distance of the beam yet. I definately prefer them for marker lights, turn signals and brake lights though...

What I really want to see is a hybrid motorcycle. I have a 650cc Suzuki Burgman scooter with an EC-CVT - and I think it would be a great candidate.

 

I have an LCD flashlight that has a crank generator - theoretically it would last forever. Since the crank resembles the ones on a car window, maybe I should put one there to keep my hybrid battery charged at intersections.

It looks like LCD have come a long way, but may not be ready for headlights yet.

 

Talking about keeping the hybrid charged - I really wish they would put solar cells into the roof of my Escape. I know I couldn't drive it on solar power alone - but sitting in the intense Texas sun all day should give it enough to go another mile or two - or to help with the AC...

I mounted solar panels on the deck of my boat probably 15 years ago. They kept the battery charged, powered fans and powered a radio inside the cabin.

 

I'd agree on automotive solar cells.

While it might not recharge the hybrid battery, it might maintain the charge it has, esp. in 100-degree weather.

 

There are still some issues with LEDs, at least for headlamp usage, as of late 2003. I'm not an expert on auto lighting standards, but as I recall there are still some engineering issues to work through- getting the proper combination of colors to give the proper irradiance over the proper solid angle and range to be street legal in the US...and at a cost < what's already available.

Red and green LEDs are very cheap- its the blue ones that are the problem children.

The 'white' ones you can get now may be good enough to eyeball with a flashlight, but its not good enough yet to be street legal.

 

Right now there's LED technology that would be suitable for headlights, but it's extremely expensive at this time. It would be a compound light of 5 watt LEDs with large heatsyncs. It will be quite a while before they are ready, right now HID is probably the best bet at just 35 watts per bulb, but still expensive.