Car colours and climate change: How your car's paint job worsens the urban heat island effect

[littlemissmartypants]

Craig Saueurs
Published on 27/08/2025 - 7:05 GMT+2

On a scorching summer day, a parked car can feel like a furnace. New research from Lisbon shows that the effect isn’t just uncomfortable, it could be warming entire neighbourhoods.

And the colour of your car could be making it worse.

In a new study published in City and Environment Interactions, scientists found that dark-coloured vehicles radiate far more heat than light ones, raising nearby air temperatures by several degrees.

Scaled up across thousands of parked cars, this hidden factor could significantly worsen the urban heat island effect, when cities become much hotter than their surroundings.
Snip...
https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/08/27/car-colours-and-climate-change-how-your-cars-paint-job-worsens-the-urban-heat-island-effec

[Phoenix61]

1. I've lived Florida my whole life and always have a white car.

Huge difference between it and a black one.

[Old Crank]

2. In the 70s

The Nevada highway patrol switched to white painted car roofs and saved money on fuel costs to keep the cabins air-conditioned.

[Old Crank]

3. An aside comment

I read recently on Car Talk, that many makers have a function on their key fobs that will let you roll down all your windows at once and maybe open your sunroof. This will allow you to drop the interior car temp before you get into it. They say hold the unlock button down for 3-5 seconds.

That could also save some gas during the time your AC has to cool the car.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. Interesting! I'm going to have to try that! ...

I wonder if it would work going down the highway? If I had a bee or fly that needed a speedy exit it could be handy!

❤️

[Old Crank]

5. Have your seat belt on

So you don't get sacked out of the sun roof.

[littlemissmartypants]

6. Snort! Roger that! 🤭