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March 18, 2025 – As summer temperatures soar, automakers are racing to keep car interiors from turning into ovens. Nissan has been touting a special “cool paint” that it says can reduce the surface temperature of a vehicle by up to 12°C (22°F) and lower cabin heat by 5°C (9°F). But does the technology actually live up to the claims, or is it another clever marketing trick?
Unlike traditional paints that absorb most light and convert it to heat, Nissan’s formulation uses specially engineered “metamaterial” particles. These particles reflect near-infrared light (the main source of solar heat) while still allowing visible colors to appear normal. The paint also emits thermal radiation through the “atmospheric window” – a specific wavelength band where heat can escape directly into space, rather than being trapped near the vehicle’s surface.
The result: a car parked in direct sunlight stays significantly cooler on the outside, which in turn reduces the amount of heat conducted into the cabin. Nissan first demonstrated the technology in 2023 on airport service vehicles in Tokyo, and later expanded trials to commercial vehicles in 2024. The company now claims the paint is production-ready for consumer cars.
Independent testing by the Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) found that Nissan’s cool paint achieved a surface temperature reduction of 11–13°C on a black car parked in full sun, consistent with Nissan’s internal data. However, the cabin temperature benefit was smaller – around 4–5°C on average – because windows, dashboard materials, and internal airflow still contribute to heat buildup.
I had the chance to sit in a Nissan Sakura (a small EV) equipped with the cool paint on a 35°C afternoon in Tokyo. The steering wheel was noticeably less hot to touch, and the seat fabric felt cooler by several degrees. But the air conditioning still had to work hard to bring the cabin to a comfortable level. Over a 30-minute test, the AC ran at a slightly lower fan speed than the control car, saving an estimated 10–12% in energy consumption for the first 10 minutes of cooling.
This isn’t the first time a “cool roof” or “cool paint” has been adapted for cars. Paint companies like PPG and BASF have offered reflective clear coats for years. Nissan’s innovation lies in the paint’s thickness (only 15–20 microns) and its ability to maintain a glossy, standard automotive finish – a challenge because highly reflective materials often look matte or milky.
The company also claims the paint is durable enough for automatic car washes and resistant to UV degradation for at least 10 years. Early test cars in Tokyo’s humid climate have shown no peeling or color shift after two years of continuous use.
Nissan has not announced a specific price, but industry insiders expect a premium of $500–$800 when offered as an option. The paint will initially be limited to three colors: white, silver, and a light gray – dark colors absorb too much light for the technology to be effective. This is a major limitation: most luxury and sports car buyers prefer darker shades, and even mainstream sedan buyers in the US gravitate toward black or dark blue.
Another drawback: the paint’s cooling effect diminishes on overcast days or in shaded parking, which is often when drivers actually park for long periods. The biggest benefit occurs when cars are parked in direct sunlight – precisely the condition that causes the most discomfort.
Dr. Kenta Yamauchi, a thermal management researcher at the University of Tokyo, told me that Nissan’s paint is “a solid step forward, but not a silver bullet.” He noted that combining the paint with electrochromic glazing and ventilated seats would produce a much more comfortable cabin than any single technology.
Rivals are taking notice. Toyota confirmed it is testing similar metamaterial paint for its bZ series EVs, and Ford is partnering with a startup called SkyCool Tech to develop a roof coating that rejects heat. Chevrolet is reportedly evaluating the cost-benefit for the upcoming Silverado EV.
Nissan really did invent a paint that keeps your car cooler – but the effect is modest, not transformative. It works best on light-colored vehicles parked in sun and can reduce AC load and improve comfort. Whether consumers will pay extra for a few degrees of temperature drop remains to be seen. For now, expect to see the option first in Japan and Southeast Asia, with a slower rollout in US and European markets.
Want to know if this paint is coming to your Nissan model? We’ll update this article as new announcements are made.
