Can a Car Be Struck by Lightning? Safety Risks Explained

What happens if a car is struck by lightning?

When a car is struck by lightning, the vehicle’s metal frame acts as a protective barrier, similar to a Faraday cage, redirecting the electrical charge around the exterior. The lightning’s current typically travels through the car’s metal body, down the tires, and into the ground. While occupants inside are generally safe from electric shock—due to the lack of direct contact with the exterior—the sudden surge of energy can still damage the vehicle’s systems. The force of the strike may also cause physical damage to the car’s exterior, such as melted rubber components or shattered glass.

Potential Damage to the Vehicle

A lightning strike can disrupt or destroy a car’s electronic systems, including the engine control unit (ECU), sensors, and infotainment devices. This often results in temporary or permanent malfunctions, such as stalling or loss of power. Other common issues include:
- Battery failure due to voltage spikes
- Wiring damage in critical circuits
- Exterior damage, like melted antennas, cracked windshields, or dented panels

Safety for Occupants

Despite the intense energy involved, passengers inside a closed vehicle (with all windows and doors closed) are unlikely to suffer injury. The car’s metal shell safely channels the lightning around the occupants. However, it’s crucial to:
- Avoid touching metal surfaces inside the car (e.g., door handles, steering wheel)
- Keep hands away from electronics like the radio or ignition
- Wait until the storm subsides before exiting the vehicle

While modern cars are designed to withstand lightning strikes, severe strikes may require extensive repairs, including replacing fried electronics or cosmetic fixes. Insurance may cover damage if lightning is listed as a covered peril in the policy.

How rare is it for lightning to strike a car?

Lightning striking a car is extremely rare, but not impossible. According to the National Weather Service, the odds of a vehicle being directly struck by lightning in a given year are minuscule, as lightning typically targets taller or more conductive objects like trees, buildings, or open fields. Cars are small compared to these structures and lack the height needed to attract a strike. However, the exact statistical rarity is difficult to quantify because incidents involving vehicles are rarely tracked separately from broader lightning strike data.

Why cars are less likely to be struck

Several factors contribute to the rarity of lightning striking a car. First, metal vehicles act as natural Faraday cages, with the electrical charge from a lightning strike dispersing through the metal frame and into the ground, sparing occupants from harm—if windows are closed. Second, cars are often surrounded by taller objects in urban or natural environments, which are more likely to draw lightning. Lightning tends to follow the path of least resistance, making isolated cars in open areas slightly riskier but still statistically uncommon.

While rare, the risk increases during severe thunderstorms, especially in open spaces like highways or parking lots where few taller structures exist. Lightning’s unpredictability means no location is entirely safe, but vehicles remain low-priority targets. Drivers caught in storms should pull over, stay inside, and avoid touching metal surfaces to minimize risk—a precaution that underscores how unusual such strikes are, even in high-risk conditions.

Are cars built to withstand lightning?

How Cars Act as Natural Faraday Cages

Cars are designed with metallic frames and bodies that unintentionally function like Faraday cages during lightning strikes. A Faraday cage distributes electrical charges evenly across its surface, preventing internal damage. The conductive materials in a car’s exterior—like metal doors, roof, and chassis—redirect lightning’s energy around the vehicle. This means occupants inside a closed vehicle (windows and doors shut) are typically safe, as the charge travels over the exterior and into the ground. However, this protection depends on the car’s metallic structure; modern vehicles with plastic or composite parts may offer reduced shielding.

Real-World Risks of Lightning Strikes

While cars provide some protection, the likelihood of a vehicle being struck by lightning is extremely low. Lightning is more likely to target taller objects like trees or power lines. If a car is struck, potential risks include:
- Electrical system damage: Sudden power surges can disrupt or destroy onboard electronics.
- Paint and exterior damage: Scorch marks or minor structural damage may appear where the lightning entered or exited.
- Tire degradation: In rare cases, the intense heat can melt tires.
Despite these risks, injuries to occupants are rare because the metal shell directs energy away from people inside.

Staying Safe During Thunderstorms

If caught in a storm, drivers should:
- Stay inside the vehicle: Avoid getting out until the storm passes.
- Avoid touching metal surfaces: Steering wheels, door handles, or other exposed metal parts could conduct electricity.
- Pull over safely: Turn off the engine and wait if visibility is compromised.
Lightning’s impact varies based on the car’s design and strike intensity, but adhering to these steps minimizes risks.

Is it safer to be in a car or tent during lightning?

When faced with a lightning storm, choosing between a car and a tent can be critical. A car is generally considered safer than a tent during lightning due to its metal frame, which acts as a makeshift Faraday cage. This structure redirects electrical currents around the vehicle, protecting occupants inside—provided they avoid touching metal surfaces. In contrast, a tent offers little to no protection. Tents are typically made of non-conductive materials like nylon, and unless equipped with a specialized lightning protection system (rare in standard camping setups), they leave occupants vulnerable to direct strikes or ground currents.

Key Differences in Lightning Protection

• Car Safety: The metal shell of a closed vehicle channels lightning around the car, dispersing energy into the ground. However, occupants must keep windows closed and avoid touching metal parts like door handles or the steering wheel.
• Tent Risks: Tents provide no natural Faraday cage effect. Lightning can strike nearby, causing dangerous ground currents that travel through moist earth—posing a risk even if the tent itself isn’t hit directly.

Safety Considerations for Each Option

If sheltering in a car:

• Pull over in an open area, away from trees or power lines.
• Stay seated with seatbelts on to minimize contact with conductive surfaces.

If stuck in a tent:

• Avoid open fields; seek lower elevations but remain aware that tents alone offer no shielding.
• Avoid contact with water sources, as water conducts electricity.

Minimizing Risk in Both Scenarios

While a car is statistically safer, neither option is foolproof. In a tent, the priority should be evacuating to a sturdy building or a metal-topped vehicle if possible. If caught in either scenario, avoid increasing exposure by staying put and avoiding high-risk behaviors like using electronic devices. The core principle is to prioritize structures with grounded wiring or metal frameworks over unshielded environments like tents.