UK drivers are being urged to move their vehicles off driveways and into shaded areas on Tuesday as an intense heatwave sweeps across the country, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 38°C in some parts of England. The Met Office has issued an amber heat warning covering large areas of England, along with a rare red warning for specific locations.
Why Shade Matters for Parked Cars
Many drivers routinely park on driveways without considering the effects of direct sunlight. However, most UK driveways receive sunlight for much of the day, especially on newer housing estates where front gardens have been replaced by parking spaces. Covered driveways and carports remain relatively uncommon in Britain, unlike in countries that regularly experience extreme heat.
Experts at Select Car Leasing explain that vehicles act like greenhouses: sunlight passes through windows and heats surfaces inside the cabin, including seats, dashboards, and steering wheels. That heat becomes trapped, causing interior temperatures to rise rapidly. On a day when the outside temperature is around 25°C, the inside of a vehicle can climb above 40°C within just 30 minutes. With temperatures expected to be considerably higher this week, conditions inside parked cars could become extreme.
Impact on Electric Vehicle Batteries
The advice is particularly important for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The AA states that lithium-ion batteries perform best when temperatures remain between 20°C and 25°C. The organisation advises keeping EVs out of direct sunlight whenever possible during heatwaves.
According to the AA: "Extreme heat is best avoided in storage and in use. But in particular, it's better to keep the vehicle out of direct heat when parked. The battery's thermal management system will cause the batteries to be drained, as the system keeps the temperature down for optimum efficiency."
Additional Tips to Keep Cars Cooler
Motoring experts recommend several steps to reduce cabin temperatures. Reflective windscreen shades can block sunlight before it heats the dashboard and interior. Drivers parked in safe locations may also benefit from leaving windows slightly open to allow trapped hot air to escape.
Before setting off, airing out the vehicle by opening the passenger-side window and repeatedly opening and closing the driver's door can help force hot air out of the cabin. When using air conditioning, directing the first blast of cool air through the footwell vents can push hot air upwards and out of the vehicle more quickly.
Moving a vehicle into the shade makes a significant difference by preventing direct sunlight from constantly heating the glass and bodywork, keeping the interior temperature much closer to the outside temperature.
