”The industry must move full steam ahead to mass-produce CO2 air-conditioning systems as they are an outstanding example of innovation in environmental protection”, said Prof. Dr. Andreas Troge, President of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). ”A delay in the start of production amounts to a loss of expertise and market opportunities. This will weaken the international position of the European automotive industry and its components suppliers”, declared Troge.
In less than two years’ time, starting January 2011, all new vehicle types in Europe must run with refrigerants that have a much lower global warming potential than the refrigerants currently used. Automobile manufacturers are investigating two alternatives: the natural refrigerant CO2 (carbon dioxide) and the synthetic refrigerant R1234yf. Whereas the latter can develop highly corrosive and toxic hydrofluoric acid in a fire, CO2 is incombustible and non-toxic. What is more, R1234yf has a global warming potential that is four times higher than CO2.
In Autumn 2007 the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) announced that the German automotive industry would introduce CO2 as its new refrigerant. The Association re-asserted this claim in Autumn 2008.
”It is a wise decision, which must now be followed up by action. The technology for CO2 air-conditioning systems has been developed, owing largely to a supplying industry dominated by mid-sized companies. The Federal Environment Agency already owns a vehicle fitted with a CO2 air-conditioning system”, said Troge.
CO2 is the refrigerant for the vehicles of the future: not only do CO2 air-conditioning systems provide cooling, they can also serve—unlike other alternatives- as efficient heat pumps in the cold season. This applies to hybrid or electric cars in particular as they require auxiliary heating in winter.
More information on automobile air-conditioning systems is on the Internet as part of the article "Climate-friendly alternative: Mobile air conditioning units with CO2.
