Cool Car Colors Could Improve Fuel Economy, Reduce Emissions

Nearly all cars sold in California have air conditioners—the most energy-consuming car accessory. Cars painted with reflective coatings stay cooler in the sun and are easier to air condition to a comfortable temperature, according to a recent study by researchers in Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's (Berkeley Lab's) Environmental Energy Technologies Division.

"Solar reflective paints can decrease the 'soak' temperature of the air in a car that has been parked in the sun," says Ronnen Levinson, scientist in the Heat Island Group and lead author of the study."This could improve the vehicle's fuel economy by letting the manufacturer install a smaller air conditioner that draws less power from the engine."

White, silver, and other light colors are coolest, reflecting about 60 percent of sunlight. However, the study showed that dark "cool colors," which reflect primarily in the invisible "near infrared" part of the solar spectrum, can also stay cooler than traditional dark colors.