Mercedes-Benz is attempting to clarify with French authorities why they are not allowing A, B and CLA models to be registered in the country following a dispute surrounding refrigerant.
Last year, Daimler engineers found under certain conditions, the R1234yf refrigerant could be flammable, with the German automaker opting to use the R134a version instead.
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R1234yf has been tested in numerous laboratories, as well as in crash tests carried out by international vehicle manufacturers and independent institutions.
However, Daimler’s collision tests which go “above and beyond the legally prescribed requirements,” have shown the chemical can be ignited in certain extreme situations.
“We are talking to the [French] authorities, but so far, we have no indication whey they should not be accepting this,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesman told just-auto from Germany.
“The German authority [KBA – Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt] – to the other European markets it is the authority which is relevant here – so it should be accepted throughout Europe.
“We don’t see similar reactions in other countries. We are not losing anything – customers who have experienced difficulties in getting a new car – they get a complementary car from us. It may just be a temporary difficulty.
“R1234 is the new refrigerant which we are not using in our cars – we have certified them to run on R134a.
Mercedes-Benz is unable to give any prediction of if or when its refrigerant will be deemed acceptable by the French Systeme d’Immatriculation des Vehicules (SIV) authority.
Daimler engineers were able to replicate conditions under which R1234yf would be sprayed on to hot engine bay components due to a severed refrigerant line – a situation that can occur following a head-on collision.
Similar tests of the current R134a refrigerant did not result in ignition, the company said.
The issue is mired in complexity, but is one the European Union will clearly have to tackle following Daimler’s test last year.
Daimler said it had made its results known to other German vehicle manufacturers.
Calls to the Ministry responsible for the SIV did not result in a clarification from the French authority.
