Fuel port illumination device

A method for illuminating a vehicle fuel port comprising:

• receiving ambient light on an exterior surface of a light transmissive panel of the fuel port wherein the light transmissive panel is configured to redirect the ambient light around a fuel door and into an interior cavity of the fuel port;
• transmitting the ambient light through the light transmissive panel into an interior cavity of the fuel port;
• charging a persistent luminescent portion disposed in the interior cavity with the ambient light;
• and
• selectively emitting an excitation emission into the interior cavity charging the persistent luminescent portion.

An illumination device for a vehicle fuel port comprising:

• a light transmissive panel disposed around at least a portion of the fuel port;
• a first persistent luminescent portion disposed in an interior cavity of the fuel port;
• a fuel door configured to selectively enclose the interior cavity;
• and
• a light source configured to emit a charging emission through the light transmissive panel into the interior cavity, wherein the light transmissive panel is configured to transmit ambient light from outside the interior cavity to the persistent luminescent layer.