Mercedes-Benz says its position remains “unchanged” following the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC) endorsement of the r1234yf refrigerant, insisting the scientific body’s scope was “too limited.”
The German automaker’s defiant tone mirrors that of r1234yf producer, Honeywell, which insists the JRC’s report into the chemical, represented the “final word” on the issue.
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“Our position is still unchanged as we think the report of the JRC is too restrictive,” a Mercedes-Benz spokesman told just-auto from Germany. “They just look at the KBA [German road safety authority] and did not conduct any tests of their own.
“We say there is a risk, a safety risk, that is why we are developing CO2 air-conditioning systems and we won’t change our plan.
“What is the end? I think there will be still some more discussions going on. We are still going to develop CO2 air-conditioning systems. We will see them as soon as possible, ready for series production.”
Mercedes – which backs the use of the r134a refrigerant until it develops its own CO2 variant – added discussions were still continuing between the European Union and the German government concerning the issue that moved rapidly up the political ladder earlier this year.
The stakes were quickly raised following the European Commission’s (EC) recent decision to launch first steps in an infringement procedure against Germany for its supposed non-compliance with the Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) Directive.
However, Germany has also struck a combative tone, previously telling just-auto, although it adhered to climate emission reduction aims: “It is not wise in the view of safety to use something that obviously bears risk [which], has not been fully explored yet.”
Honeywell maintains the r1234yf refrigerant, is safe and lower-polluting and criticised the German Transport Ministry’s claims as “unfortunate political gamesmanship.”
The chemical producer noted the JRC – tasked by the European Commission – had examined the KBA’s findings, with the Brussels-backed body establishing: “There was no serous risk in the use of this refrigerant in MAC systems under normal and foreseeable conditions of use.”
Mercedes counters however, with: “The German Federal Motor Transport Authority [KBA] explicitly pointed out in their test report, the safety level of vehicles deteriorates due to the use of r1234y.
“In addition, the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und Prüfung [materials research] or the Deutsche Umwelthilfe [German Environmental Association], also repeatedly pointed out the potential risks.”
