Any colour you like as long as its NOT black!

That's the latest coming from California on new cars and how best to save energy. The thinking behind it is simple and although I hate to admit it, does make sense.

As we all know California has a hot and sunny climate and so black cars having been left in the sun for a few hours get hotter inside than a white, silver or a light coloured car. As such the A/C has to work harder and for longer to regulate the interior temperature back to the owner’s requirements. In doing so a greater amount of fuel is used and greater emissions produced as a result ( A similar policy was adopted for buildings in California some time ago and has delivered noticeable savings).

However, all is not lost.

The paint manufacturers are working on a new type of black paint that possesses highly reflective properties. The new paint does not absorb such high levels of energy and heat and so reduces the heat build up in the vehicle and so should be passed for use in California.

My understanding is that there is currently one small problem –

All efforts so far revert to a muddy brown colour - not quite as stylish!