Bentley Motors has launched new workwear for employees working with electric cars. While traditional vehicles are mainly mechanical, electric models rely heavily on sensitive electronic systems and batteries. In this article, I show you the new workwear and explain why it is so important.

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Bentley workwear for electric cars

Ahead of the launch of its first electric vehicle, the luxury car manufacturer introduced its ‘Dream Factory’ workwear.

The new garments include carbon fiber components and are designed to dissipate static electricity. According to Bentley Motors, the clothing is not only protective but also comfortable, flexible and durable.

During the development of the clothing package, four themes were central: co-created, future-focused, inclusive and high-tech. This resulted in a range of fits and sizes. The collection is designed for various tasks, with health and safety as a key priority.

The company also wanted to prevent the garments from ending up in landfill at the end of their lifecycle. Therefore, materials that can be easily recycled were used during production.

Why workwear for electric cars is necessary

Bentley Motors is not the only company using specialized workwear for employees working with electric vehicles. Other car manufacturers are also increasingly adopting ESD workwear.

ESD stands for Electrostatic Discharge. This refers to the buildup of electrical charge. You probably recognize it: you pet a cat and suddenly feel a small shock. While this is harmless to humans, it can damage certain electronics or materials, such as batteries, chips and sensors.

For centuries, people have used techniques to protect themselves and materials from electrostatic discharge. Initially, this was mainly done to prevent explosions of gunpowder. From the 1970s onwards, it became important for people working with computers. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, companies introduced ESD protective clothing. At first, this mainly involved wrist straps for factory workers. Regular clothing retains electrical charge, allowing it to build up. Special fibers in ESD clothing, however, dissipate this charge. It works like a kind of lightning rod.

Today, there is a wide range of ESD workwear available. Manufacturers usually combine cotton or polyester with carbon fibers. This is becoming increasingly important as more electric vehicles are produced and technology becomes more complex and sensitive.

To ensure sufficient protection, organizations have established international standards. In Europe, EN 1149-5 applies, while in the United States companies use ANSI/ESD S20.20-2014.

 

Bentley makes ESD workwear modern

While ESD workwear used to look quite basic, that is no longer the case today. As you can see in the images above, this workwear is hardly distinguishable from regular clothing. The shirts and vests look normal, just like any other garment. And that is exactly the point: protection does not always have to be visible. You can look presentable without compromising on safety.

 

Want to read more about workwear in the automotive industry?

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• Car salesperson appearance

Kind regards,

Aileen