02.07.2019 Do black cars get hotter in the summer?

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Do black cars get hotter in the summer?

BY CHERISE THREEWITT
Browse the article Do black cars get hotter in the summer?

Did you know the state of California once

considered banning the sale of new black
cars?
(4KODIAK/E+/GETTY IMAGES)

Did you ever slide into your car on a hot summer day, after it's been parked in the sun for a while,
and wonder if there's any way to keep it from becoming a sauna? As it turns out, the same
principles that help you make smart clothing choices can help keep your car cool, too (and help
the environment, while you're at it).

It's common knowledge that dark colors absorb heat (especially that from the sun's rays) while
light colors reflect it. So in 2008 and 2009, the state of California considered banning the sale of
new black cars, not out of concern for California residents' on-the-go comfort, but because of the
unfavorable environmental effects. It sounded like a bunch of hippie nonsense (and it even got
some conservatives, such as Rush Limbaugh, all worked up), but the science behind the idea is
sound. A 2011 study by the Berkeley Lab Environmental Energy Technologies Division
discovered that white, silver, and other light paint colors do improve a car's efficiency. The study,
which pitted a silver Honda Civic against a black one, found that light colored cars reflect about
60 percent of sunlight compared to dark colored cars. This translates to a 2 percent decrease in
fuel economy (due to increased air conditioner use), a 1.9 percent increase in carbon dioxide
emissions, and a 1 percent increase in other harmful emissions for a black car [source: Owano].

The Golden State lawmakers said that a car that got hotter would require a lot more energy to
cool off and to remain cool. This would waste fuel, since it requires extra gas to run the air
conditioner, and it would also increase the car's toxic emissions. Reducing the number of black

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cars on the road could contribute to a reduction in smog and greenhouse gas emissions, which
would be a small step toward helping to combat global warming.

Though California didn't pass the law (for the time being), there are steps that can be taken to
reduce this effect, even if you already own a black car. The car itself makes a big difference,
when variables such as model, size, and shape are taken to account, as well as the number,
arrangement, sizes and tint of the windows. A car that's been parked in direct sunlight is going to
heat up faster, reach a higher temperature, and then retain its heat longer than a car that's been
parked in full or partial shade. Parking in partial shade is much better than no shade at all. The
season and weather conditions are also important to consider (although you don't have any
control over those, of course). Even on a sunny day, if there's some cloud cover, it'll provide
some protection from the heating effect of the sun's rays. And if there's any wind, it might provide
a cooling effect. Just being mindful of these additional factors can help your car stay more
comfortable in the summer (and, yes, it can help the environment while you're at it).

Related Articles
How Air-conditioned Seats Work
How Automotive Air Conditioning Works
How does the color of your car affect your insurance rate?
How to Match Auto Paint
How Self-cleaning Paint Works

More Great Links

Are Darker-Colored Cars Warmer Inside Than Lighter-Colored Cars?
Best Color To Buy
California to reduce carbon emissions by... banning black cars?!
Silver and white cars are cooler, says study
The Ten Most Ridiculous Car Myths

Sources
LeMone, Margaret. "Are Darker-Colored Cars Warmer Inside Than Lighter-
Colored Cars?" University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Sept. 21, 2009.
(March 15, 2015) https://www2.ucar.edu/atmosnews/perspective/880/are-darker-
colored-cars-warmer-inside-lighter-colored-cars
Owano, Nancy. "Silver and white cars are cooler, says study." Phys.org. Oct. 25,
2011. (March 15, 2015) http://phys.org/news/2011-10-silver-white-cars-cooler.html
Pico Technology. "Do red cars get hotter than those painted in other colors?"
(March 15, 2015) https://www.picotech.com/library/experiment/color-and-
temperature

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02.07.2019 Do black cars get hotter in the summer? | HowStuffWorks

Zimmerman, Martin. "Black car ban in California? Not quite yet." Los Angeles
Times. March 30, 2009. (March 16, 2015)
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/03/the-great-california-black-car-crisis-
is-over-for-now-at-leastthe-california-air-resources-board-said-friday-that-it-has.html

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