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Lightning storms can be dangerous, and many people wonder if a car is a safe place to take shelter. When lightning strikes a vehicle, its metal structure acts as a “Faraday cage,” protecting the occupants, but the impact can cause electrical damage and affect electronic components.
Lightning is one of nature's most impressive spectacles, but it also represents a danger real. When lightning strikes a car, the consequences can be unexpected and surprising. Many people believe that rubber tires protect the occupants, but the reality is different.
Lightning strikes a car
When lightning strikes a vehicle, the first point of contact is usually the antenna or roof. The electricity travels through the metal structure, causing various damages.
Since many modern cars have defroster wires on the rear window, these components are often affected.
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There are also risks to the antenna, electrical system and tires, as current can pass through the internal steel belts.
If the discharge is intense, the heat generated can cause internal fires or malfunctions in the car.
Despite this, occupants are generally safe as long as they do not touch metal parts during the storm.
The myth of rubber tires
There is a popular belief that rubber tires protect a car from lightning. This is not true. What really protects passengers is the “Faraday cage” effect.
The car's metal frame conducts electricity to the ground, minimizing the risk to those inside. Even modern vehicles with composite materials have metal elements to maintain this protection.
However, this defense mechanism only works on cars with a metal roof and sides. Convertible vehicles or vehicles with large carbon fiber panels do not offer the same security.
How often does this happen?
Being struck by lightning while driving may seem like a rare event, but statistics show that it happens more often than you might think.
The individual chances are approximately one in 100.000, but worldwide, millions of vehicles are hit annually.
Real-life cases illustrate this phenomenon. In April 2024, a woman driving on a highway in the US state of Virginia had her car struck by lightning.
The impact was terrifying, but she was unharmed. In July of that same year, a driver in Georgia had his vehicle damaged by lightning. In both cases, the occupants were safe, but the cars suffered damage.
tests and experiments
In a famous experiment on the “Top Gear” program, former presenter Richard Hammond tested the resistance of a Volkswagen Golf to a discharge of 800.000 volts.
The car withstood the impact, but Hammond reported a tingling sensation in his hands. This suggests that a small amount of current may have reached the passengers.
Interestingly, most automakers do not conduct specific tests to assess the resistance of their vehicles to lightning. This makes every real-life occurrence an opportunity to learn about how cars react to electrical discharges.
How to protect yourself
If you are in a car during a thunderstorm, there are a few precautions you can take to keep yourself safe:
- Avoid touching metal parts or parts connected to the electrical system.
- Keep your hands in your lap and wait for the storm to pass.
- If possible, park in a safe location and remain inside your vehicle.
Modern cars offer good protection against lightning, but understanding how this safety works can prevent unnecessary risks.
It happened to me, a loud bang followed by a flash. The car was moving, and immediately all the electronics in it collapsed, a strong smell of burning plastic filled the interior of the vehicle. After a few minutes I managed to get out of the vehicle and the only visible damage was the antenna, which had disappeared from the roof. A week after the incident, the insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. The report stated severe damage to all electrical and electronic parts. Now I'm afraid of storms, and the advice I always give is to seek shelter.