Energy Efficient Car Windows
Posted June 29, 2009 at 9:17 am 
Filed in: Last week, the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) adopted a regulation that will require new cars sold in California after 2011 to have windows that reflect or absorb heat-producing rays from the sun to keep cars cooler, thereby reducing air conditioning usage, increasing fuel efficiency and reducing global warming pollution.
This is the first regulation of its type that we are aware of anywhere in the world.
CARB estimates that the incremental cost will average $70 for windows meeting the 2012 standard, and about $250 for the 2016 standard. With estimated annual savings in gas of $16 and $20 respectively, the cost will be recovered in between five and 12 years.
Generally speaking, we are not impressed with an investment that may have a 12-year payback on a vehicle whose lifespan is probably not much more than 12 years. But what is interesting is that in an electric vehicle, power management becomes much more important than in a gasoline vehicle. Every accessory that is used in an electric vehicle consumes battery power and reduces the range of the vehicle. By keeping a car cooler and reducing the need for air conditioning, these regulations could help extend the range of electric vehicles. In that respect, the regulations may be more valuable than CARB suggested and may, in fact, have a shorter payback period when used in grid-connected vehicles.
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