Heatwave: Should a penalty be imposed on dark-colored cars?

In these times of CO2 hunting, there is one subject that, curiously, receives no regulatory attention: the color of cars.

Black, anthracite gray, navy blue… good taste in car colors is clearly exempt from any climate guilt. Yet, between two speeches on global warming, simply opening a door in the bright sun reveals that the real issue is not just a matter of the engine.

Because the interior of a black car exposed to the sun can reach temperatures close to that of a pizza oven. The result? Right from the start, the air conditioning is pushed to the max. And contrary to what one might like to believe, this small comfort gesture does not come without consequences, with up to 20% overconsumption in urban areas according to some studies. While no one denies this, it is easier to criticize SUVs, the somewhat overly powerful or heavy vehicles, while an army of black cars runs their AC at full blast.

When elegance and ecology do not mix well

What if we reversed the logic a bit? What if we valued lighter shades, for example? A white car, or even beige as fashion seems to be cyclical, absorbs much less heat and limits the use of air conditioning. Why not introduce a bonus-malus based on color, in the name of energy efficiency? A tax on metallic black, a bonus for pearly ivory. The idea may seem absurd, but is it really more so than some ecological ratings already in place?

Behind this little easy provocation, a technical reality comes into focus. Several manufacturers, aware of the thermal impact of dark colors, are actively developing “cooling” paints. Special pigments capable of reflecting infrared light while maintaining dark shades. Mercedes, Toyota, Nissan, and BMW are working on these technologies that allow for a reduction of indoor temperature by up to 5 or 6 degrees. Proof, if it were needed, that color is not just a matter of style.

So should a penalty be imposed on dark cars? Perhaps not. But it is time to recognize that automotive ecology is not limited to engines, and that the good old shiny black may not be as innocent as it seems.

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