DETROIT – In October, a fourth SAE International Cooperative Research Program (CRP) was launched by the automotive industry to further analyze the safety of the new mobile air conditioner refrigerant, R1234yf.  The participants in the 2012 R1234yf CRP include Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, PSA, Renault and Toyota.
 
The previous three SAE International CRP’s related to R1234yf began in 2007, and concluded three years later with a determination that the refrigerant can be used safely in vehicles that are designed for the new refrigerant. R1234yf was judged to be an acceptable alternative for mobile air conditioning systems while meeting new environmental and consumer needs.
 
Despite previous confirmations of the safety of R1234yf in both laboratory and vehicle testing, in September, Daimler raised a new question about the safe usage of R1234yf based on their most recent vehicle tests. In response, leading global automobile manufacturers havejoined together in this new SAE International CRP to perform an updated engineering analysis based on the most recent information. According to the SAE, this research team is working as quickly as possible to resolve this question and will issue interim reports as well as a final statement at theconclusion of the CRP’s activities.
 
These SAE International CRP activities are inresponse to the international regulations by the European Union that require all-new, type-approved vehicles to use a refrigerant with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) below 150. Current global mobile air conditioning systems use R134a, a refrigerant having a GWP of approximately 1,430.  R1234yf has a GWP of four.
 
Click here to read related news from VW on its refusal to use R1234yf.