23/05/2026
When the external temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, the interior of a car parked in the sun can soar significantly higher than the outside temperature, often between 55 to 65 degrees Celsius. The color of the car is a crucial factor in either mitigating or exacerbating this heat.
According to thermal physics principles, the impact of car colors is as follows:
1. The hottest colors (highest temperature)
Black: A black car absorbs heat the most and the quickest when exposed to sunlight. This is due to the fact that black can absorb up to 98% of sunlight (and heat) without reflecting it.
Other dark colors (such as dark blue, dark gray, and maroon): These shades also absorb light, causing the temperature inside the vehicle to rise rapidly.
Conclusion: During a heatwave with temperatures at 40 degrees, the interior of a black car parked in the sun can escalate to between 60 and 65 degrees Celsius in just a few minutes.
2. The coolest colors (lowest temperature)
White: White cars perform best in extreme heat. Rather than absorbing sunlight, white reflects it.
Other light colors (like silver, light gray, and cream): These hues also do not absorb significant amounts of solar heat.
Conclusion: The temperature inside a white or silver car is typically 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than that of a black car.
The influence of car windows and interior
In addition to the exterior color, several other factors also contribute to the temperature:
Dashboard and seats: If your car is white on the outside but has a black interior (seats and dashboard), the interior will still absorb sunlight streaming through the windows, effectively turning the car into an oven.
Greenhouse Effect: Sunlight enters through the car windows, but the heat inside (infrared radiation) cannot escape. This is why the temperature inside the car is consistently much higher than the 40 degrees outside.
