What are the Alternatives to R-134a?
11/20/2008 The Europeans are paving the way, driving alternative refrigerant technology. The European “F-Gas” rules have declared that R-134a must be replaced with a refrigerant that has a significantly lower global warming potential (a rating no higher than 150 GWP). The phase-out on new vehicles must start in 2011 and be complete by 2017. The European decision to phase-out R-134a does not apply to US or Asian vehicle manufacturers outside of Europe, but it does apply to any vehicle manufacturer who wants to sell cars or trucks in Europe regardless of where the vehicles are built. Consequently, if the Europeans require a new refrigerant for all of their vehicles, it will affect vehicle manufacturers worldwide and eventually the U.S. aftermarket. Vehicle manufacturers don’t want to build different A/C systems for different world markets. A common refrigerant is the most economical. But it’s not as simple as it sounds. One reason is that any one of several alternative refrigerants may w
