Is There a Big Difference in Heat Between Black and White Cars in Summer?
2 Answers
During the hot summer sun, the interior temperature of black cars is generally higher than that of white cars. Factors affecting the interior temperature include not only the car's color but also the interior color, materials, and vehicle sealing. Under the same conditions for interiors and other factors, the interior temperature of a black car can be 5 to 15 degrees Celsius higher than that of a white car. Advantages of White Cars: Nowadays, more and more people choose white when buying a car. In summer, the white car body reflects most of the sunlight, absorbing less heat and keeping the interior temperature lower, while black cars absorb most of the sunlight, resulting in a higher interior temperature. Temperature Test: Under the same environmental conditions and using the same testing method, experiments were conducted with white and black cars of the same brand. The white car's body temperature was 52 degrees Celsius, and the interior temperature was 57 degrees Celsius. The black car's body temperature was 66 degrees Celsius, and the interior temperature was 65 degrees Celsius. It can be seen that the body temperature of the white car was 14 degrees Celsius lower than that of the black car, and the interior temperature was 8 degrees Celsius lower.
I've studied car physics for many years, and dark-colored cars like black do absorb more heat as they reflect less sunlight, while light-colored cars such as white reflect most sunlight, keeping the interior cooler. The difference in summer is quite significant – the interior temperature of a black car can be 10 to 15 degrees higher, and the air conditioning consumes over 10% more fuel. When I drove a black car myself, it felt like an oven when I first got in, with seats too hot to sit on, and the AC needed to blast for five minutes before it became comfortable. In contrast, a white car cools down within a minute or two. I recommend using sunshades and reflective films to reduce heat, and parking in shaded areas or using car covers. In the long run, color also affects paint maintenance – black cars show dirt easily and require frequent washing, while white cars handle heat better but are prone to stains. For friends living in hot regions, choosing a light-colored car is both hassle-free and eco-friendly.
