* Black absorbs light: Black surfaces absorb almost all wavelengths of visible light. This absorbed light is converted into heat, raising the temperature of the surface and the interior of the car.
* White reflects light: White surfaces reflect most wavelengths of visible light. This means less light energy is converted into heat, resulting in a lower surface temperature and a cooler car interior.
In short, a black car acts like a solar heat collector, while a white car reflects much of the sun's energy away.