Ban on black cars in California

The California Air Resources Board is contemplating legislation to control the colour reflective properties of car paints to cut the amount of fuel needed to cool the vehicles and also to increase the thermal efficiency of car window glazing.

The Board calculates that stricter specifications may mean nearly a million tons, annually, less carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere by 2020.

Dark colours do not reflect sunlight very well, so they will probably no longer be allowed. Black is still the main problem, the Board believes.

Driving a short distance with the windows open will cool a car, effectively eliminating any problems from the colour before starting the air conditioning system.

However, black will still be ruled out.

American paint manufacturers are under pressure to make a good black paint that will comply with the future required specification of 20 percent sunlight reflective ability by 2016.

Up to now, this work has only produced a muddy brown colour.

The Board has published a 36-page report on this subject. When California acts on green car issues, other states usually follow their example.

Any US resident who wants to own a black car should buy it soon.

The new requirements may come into force by 2012.