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-Short Attention Span Theater-
California to reduce carbon emissions by... banning black cars.
2009-03-26
In a move that will likely get California's consumers in a Edsel huff, impending legislation may soon restrict the paint color options for Golden State residents looking for their next new vehicle. The specific colors that are currently on the chopping block are all dark hues, with the worst offender seemingly the most innocuous color you could think of: Black. What could California possibly have against these colors, you ask? Apparently, the California Air Resources Board figures that the climate control systems of dark colored cars need to work harder than their lighter siblings – especially after sitting in the sun for a few hours. Anyone living in a hot, sunny climate will tell you that this assumption is accurate, of course. In fact, legislation already exists for buildings that has proven successful at reducing the energy consumption of skyscrapers.
I wonder if any actual research done.
So, what's the crux of the problem... can't paint suppliers just come up with new, less heat-absorbent dark paints? According to Ward's, suppliers have reportedly been testing their pigments and processes to see if it's possible to meet CARB's proposed mandate of 20% solar reflectivity by 2016 with a phase-in period starting in 2012, and things aren't looking good. Apparently, when the proper pigments and chemicals are added to black paint, the resulting color is currently being referred to as "mud-puddle brown." That doesn't sound very attractive, now does it? Windshields, backlights and sunroofs are also slated to get reflective coatings starting in 2012.
When we first heard of this issue, an internal debate immediately began as to whether this might be an elaborate early April Fool's joke, but it isn't. Read through CARB's complete Cool Cars Standards and Test
Posted by:Deacon Blues

#6  I can see someone getting sarcastic about it and somehow creating a car with a mirror coat that blinds people in the bright sun.
Posted by: crosspatch   2009-03-26 21:58  

#5  I don't see any ban against repainting, (Stupid in the left coast's climate, but doable).
Posted by: Redneck Jim   2009-03-26 21:45  

#4  When compared to the gross energy consumption of the United States of America, this proposal is an opportunity to save about 0.00% of that energy.

You have here an opportunity to anger many people (particularly those who like the color black) and get even more intrusive and manipulative into people's lives for just about exactly no benefit whatsoever.

Amazing.
Posted by: crosspatch   2009-03-26 21:41  

#3  Banning black cars? Has Arnold joined the KKK?
Posted by: JFM   2009-03-26 15:45  

#2  Mud Puddle Brown

Merde de Canard

Or that G*d awful "Desert Sand" that GM had in the sixties.

All yer new car colors approved by the Golden State!
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2009-03-26 15:16  

#1  Proof that California has way too many state workers.
Posted by: DoDo   2009-03-26 14:58  

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