EVs that do not use HFC134a in their AC unit

[jiminoregon]

I saw this article in Climate News over the weekend:

http://insideclimatenews.org/news/20140319/electric-cars-have-dirty-little-secret?page=show

"among 16 EV models on America's roads, only two—Chevy's newest model of its all-electric Spark and the leaseable Honda Fit—have ditched the super greenhouse gas HFC 134a for the climate safe alternative so far."

So the only EV one can buy in this country that does not use HFc134a is the Chevy Spark EV.

Just one more reason to be a proud Spark EV owner.

Jiminoregon
P.S. I am a chem prof.

 

[TonyWilliams]

A bit misleading title... So far, only its Chevy Spark EV, which had sold 703 units as of February, and its conventional Cadillac XTS luxury sedan use the new refrigerant.

So, GM has sold a few thousand plus cars of the milions they produce every year with this new refrigerant.

This comment seems pertinent:

Unfortunately, this article has numerous errors. For example, there are no Buick or GMC vehicles with 1234yf. The failure to mention the use of 1234yf in Chrysler products like the Jeep Cherokee released at the end of October 2013 is yet another. The Tesla Model S will be using 1234yf very shortly (if it has not already started). The BMW i3 uses 1234yf so most certainly not all German car makers have shunned it. The author should have done a little more research.

Peter Coll
Vice Chair SAE Interior Climate Control Service Committee
Director, Mobile Air Conditioning Society

 

[jiminoregon]

Thanks for the information, Peter.

One of the major problems with articles like this is the strikingly poor amount of correct detail and a complete lack of documentation - and this is common outside the peer reviewed literature.

I'm glad to get your perspective.

Best wishes,
Jim