ShareDaimler agrees to use R1234yf to comply with EU regulations
Daimler agrees to use R1234yf but will phase in CO2 from next year.
Daimler agrees to use R1234yf but will phase in CO2 from next year.
Daimler had previously refused to use the new low GWP refrigerant R1234yf in its Mercedes car air conditioning systems due to concerns over its flammability. Its decision challenged the EU’s MAC Directive which banned the use of R134a and stipulated that all new car models must use a refrigerant with a GWP below 150 from 1 January 2013.
To meet is own safety standards, the car manufacturer says it has developed a protective system tailored to the given vehicle configuration. In the event of a severe frontal collision, the patent-pending system is designed to ensure that the resultant refrigerant/air mixture is separated from the hot engine components in the engine compartment and that these components are effectively cooled. This is made possible by a gas generator, which releases inert argon gas at relevant hot spots and keeps the mixture from bursting into flames.
However, Daimler sees R1234yf as an interim solution. From 2017, Mercedes-Benz says it will become the first manufacturer to offer production passenger cars equipped with CO2 air conditioning systems in its S- and E-Class cars in Europe. The use of CO2 air conditioning systems will then be gradually rolled out across the range.
As deployment of CO2 systems throughout the entire vehicle fleet will not be feasible by the effective date of the new EU Directive on 1 January 2017, the company will be using R1234yf.
Daimler had previously refused to use the new low GWP refrigerant R1234yf in its Mercedes car air conditioning systems due to concerns over its flammability. Its decision challenged the EU’s MAC Directive which banned the use of R134a and stipulated that all new car models must use a refrigerant with a GWP below 150 from 1 January 2013.
To meet is own safety standards, the car manufacturer says it has developed a protective system tailored to the given vehicle configuration. In the event of a severe frontal collision, the patent-pending system is designed to ensure that the resultant refrigerant/air mixture is separated from the hot engine components in the engine compartment and that these components are effectively cooled. This is made possible by a gas generator, which releases inert argon gas at relevant hot spots and keeps the mixture from bursting into flames.
However, Daimler sees R1234yf as an interim solution. From 2017, Mercedes-Benz says it will become the first manufacturer to offer production passenger cars equipped with CO2 air conditioning systems in its S- and E-Class cars in Europe. The use of CO2 air conditioning systems will then be gradually rolled out across the range.
As deployment of CO2 systems throughout the entire vehicle fleet will not be feasible by the effective date of the new EU Directive on 1 January 2017, the company will be using R1234yf.