Automobile. Why isn't having a black car eco-friendly?

A study conducted in Lisbon reveals that a black car exposed to the sun can raise the ambient air temperature by up to 1.9°C more than a white equivalent. In some cases, the heat radiated by the vehicle even exceeds that of the surrounding asphalt.

This phenomenon is explained by albedo: dark surfaces absorb more solar energy and release it in the form of heat.

The cumulative impact in cities

In urban areas already affected by urban heat islands, where temperatures can be 5 to 10°C higher than in rural areas, the heat effect induced by a multitude of parked dark cars adds up.

In these concrete environments, each dark vehicle acts like a small radiator, aggravating an already worrying situation.

Change color?

Beyond the stylistic debates, choosing a light-colored bodywork seems like a modest yet significant gesture. White or silver cars reflect more light, emit less heat, and could help mitigate the effects of heat waves in urban areas.

Similar to initiatives to light-paint urban surfaces such as asphalt or light-colored paint on building roofs, the color of vehicles could become a new area of ​​ecological reflection in the context of global warming.