After a frenzied week of mayhem in the blogosphere about a potential ban of black cars in California, the LA Times is reporting that this issue has been laid to rest by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Red flags were raised when CARB released their “Cool Cars” initiative that outlined a number of methods to reduce automotive greenhouse gas emissions. One such method was to mandate that all automotive paints had to contain a reflective coating that would reduce the amount of absorbed solar radiation. Less absorbed solar radiation would reduce the temperature inside the vehicle, requiring less use of fuel-hungry air conditioners.
The CARB report specifically stated that ‘jet black remains an issue’ because dark colors absorb far more radiation than light colors. This statement generated outrage amongst a range of right-wingers, libertarians, and probably a lot of people who just like the color black.
To placate the rising uproar, CARB said Friday that it has no plans ‘at this time’ to regulate car paint as part of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “We are by no means interested in banning or restricting car colors,” said CARB spokesman Stanley Young.
If (or when) CARB decides to place direct or indirect restrictions on automobile colors, I recommend that they use an educational awareness approach as opposed to mandatory regulations. Americans don’t respond well when they are forced into giving up a product (or color) that they hold dear – remember New Coke?
Chances are CARB would achieve a similar amount of greenhouse gas reductions through a well planned education and outreach program than they would imposing regulations. I think most people were scratching their heads trying to connect the dots when they heard about the potential black car ban – most of us had no clue that car color would have that effect. I believe that a surprising amount of the American people would respond in favor of the environment if they were presented the options as a choice and not a requirement.
Sometimes the method of delivery can make all the difference.
Stephen Boles is co-founder of Kuzuka, a marketplace website that will bring a new level of convenience and confidence to carbon offset customers. Kuzuka also provides consulting services to organizations that want to assess and reduce their corporate carbon footprint.
As a liberal, animal lovin', environment lovin', tree huggin', tofu eatin' left-winger I think that a ban on black cars is stupid. I'm glad it wasn't actually put in place. I've had black cars. I probably won't get another because I don't like the sauna effect in the summer. But that's my choice.
When I return to my parked car after 11 hours and it's been sitting all day, baking in the sun in an asphalt parking lot, the first thing I do is open both front doors, then the windows. The car airs out in about 2 minutes. I close the doors, get in, and drive away with the windows open. Much more efficient that trying to use the A/C to counteract 11 hours of heat buildup!
Agrred that education and some though goes further than an outright ban on certain colors (the latter is just lunacy).
Oh yes, for those about to comment about gas mileage and air drag, I do put the windows back up when I reach the freeway.
Ban on Black cars? Whomever came up with this idea needs to cut back on the bean curd and tofu.
This is from the loony green fringe. I am not sure but that the savings could be rather small.
I agree with you on the idea of educate people on choices and let them make their own choices. It is far more successful in the long term.
The author didn't know a black car gets hotter in the sun than a lighter color car?
"…most of us had no clue that car color would have that effect." We really are doomed to stupidity!
thats discrimination!
I designed a product that virtually eliminates heat build-up in the vehicle. After seeing CARBS article in 2009 (showing the thermal signature of a car sitting in a parking lot), I rented a thermal imaging camera the following year and did my own test. The results can be seen on my website at: http://www.caPopTop.com . The test vehicles were fitted with my product (the California PopTop) at 10 AM and were left to bake in the 105 degree heat for 3 hours. While the vehicle bodies reached temperatures of 147 degrees (black vehicle), the roof temperature only ranged between 65 and 80 degrees. I approached CARB with my solution and was told… we aren’t interested in that any more. We are going after the air conditioner manufacturers. WHAT!!!