GM adopts refrigerant despite Daimler fire worries
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General Motors is sticking with its decision to introduce a new, more environmentally safe refrigerant in vehicles despite the contention by Daimler AG that the substance may cause fires in an accident.
A GM executive said GM conducted additional crash tests plus computer simulations after the German automaker raised questions about the refrigerant HFO-1234yf.
In August, Daimler engineers simulated a crash test and found that a mix of refrigerant and oil from the compressor could be ignited by the hot surface of the engine, creating a toxic gas.
GM says it's safe
But Curt Vincent, GM's engineering manager for new refrigerants, disputes Daimler's claims.
"We did crash tests, computer simulations and thermal analysis and did not observe any safety problems at all," Vincent said. "Many [researchers] have tried to repeat Daimler's findings, but no one has come forward with anything that would indicate any concern."
Vincent made his remarks even as Daimler and Volkswagen AG postponed their use of the refrigerant.
Daimler is recalling Mercedes-Benz vehicles that contain the product, and a Volkswagen spokeswoman says the company won't use it "until further notice," Bloomberg News reports.
Honeywell Transportation Systems and DuPont Co. make HFO-1234yf, which has been approved by government regulators for use in the European Union and the United States.
GM's Vincent and Honeywell Vice President Terrence Hahn both noted that a research consortium of 13 automakers has reaffirmed its earlier findings that HFO-1234yf poses no safety hazards.
The consortium re-examined its findings after Daimler raised its concerns.
"We tested it ourselves," Hahn noted. "We're not going to sell this product if it's not safe. We are absolutely convinced that the material is safe to use."
GM already uses the chemical in the Cadillac XTS and in the European version of the Chevrolet Malibu. Over the next five years or so, GM will convert most of its models sold in North America to the new refrigerant, Vincent said.
It will cost GM about $75 per vehicle to switch to the new refrigerant and install redesigned air conditioners.
Better for the environment
HFO-1234yf is considered more benign than other refrigerants because it is less likely to deplete the ozone if it leaks into the atmosphere.
According to the EPA, HFO-1234yf has a global warming potential that is 99.7 percent less than HFC-134a, which is used in most air conditioners.
The EPA doesn't mandate use of HFO-1234yf, but automakers that make the switch will get extra credits from the agency for reducing emissions that contribute to global warming.
In the European Union, automakers were required to begin switching to an environmentally friendly refrigerant for newly redesigned vehicles on Jan 1.
You can reach David Sedgwick at dsedgwick@crain.com.
