TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES
in Passenger Vehicle Air Conditioners
Background
This fact sheet provides current information on low global
warming potential (GWP) alternatives in newly manufactured
passenger vehicle air conditioners (ACs), in lieu of high-GWP
hydrofluorocarbons (MFCs). MFCs are powerful greenhouse
gases (GHG) thousands of times more potent per pound than
carbon dioxide (C02), but more climate-friendly alternatives are
becoming available.
These AC systems cool passenger vehicles in the U.S. General
Services Administration (GSA) fleet operated by diverse federal
agencies. GSA passenger vehicles include sedans, station
wagons, passenger vans, and SUVs. The figure below shows
the passenger vehicle fleet size from 2009-2013. Passenger
vehicles accounted for 60% of the total GSA fleet in 2013, with
trucks accounting for 37% and other vehicles accounting for the
remaining 3%; this fleet profile has been generally consistent
since 2009.
Figure 1: GSA Passenger Vehicles8 by Year (2008-2012)
150,000
122,003 120,720 121,157
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
1 Includes sedans, station wagons, passengervans, and SUVs
1 Carbon dioxide equivalent is a measure of a substance's effect on
global warming over a hundred-year timeframe, relative to the same
amount of carbon dioxide.
In 2014, U.S. HFC emissions from passenger vehicle ACs
were estimated at 40.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent (MMTC02eq),1 or 25% of total annual HFC emissions
in the United States. This is equivalent to the annual GHG
emissions from approximately 8.6 million passenger vehicles.
Foams 5% Fire Ext. «|%
Aerosols 7%
Solvents 1%
2014
U.S. HFC
Emissions
Other Ref/AC
62%
U.S. HFC Emissions: 166 MMT C02Eq.
U.S. HFC Emissions in Passenger Vehicle ACs: 40.9 MMT C02Eq.
-------
TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES in Passenger Vehicle Air Conditioners
Low-GWP Alternatives and Market Trends
In the past, passenger vehicles were cooled by chlorofluorocarbon
(CFQ-12, a substance that destroys the stratospheric ozone
layer that shields the Earth from the sun's harmful ultraviolet
radiation. Automobile manufacturers transitioned to the non-
ozone depleting alternative HFC-134a in the mid-1990s. HFC-134a,
like its predecessor, is a potent GHG that contributes to climate
change. Today, many motor vehicle manufacturers are beginning
to transition to new, climate-friendly alternatives.
EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program ensures
the smooth transition to alternatives that pose lower overall
risk to human health and the environment. Under SNAP, EPA
recently listed three low-GWP passenger vehicle AC refrigerants
as acceptable subject to use conditions: hydrofluoroolefin (HFO)-
1234yf, carbon dioxide, and HFC-152a. None of these alternatives
deplete the ozone layer and all have significantly lower impacts to
the climate system than CFC-12 or HFC-134a.
A SNAP rulemaking published in July 2015 lists various
refrigerants and refrigerant blends as unacceptable in newly
manufactured, light-duty vehicles starting with model year
(MY) 2017. The table below shows the time frame for when
the changes in listing status will become effective for each
refrigerant.
Substitute GWP Decision*
HFC-134a
R-414B(HCFC Blend Omicron)
GHG-X5
R-406A
GHG-HP(HCFC Blend Lambda)
Freeze 12
Free Zone (HCFC Blend Delta)
R-426A (RS-24, new formulation)
R-414A (HCFC Blend Xi,GHG-X4)
SP34E
R-416A(FRIGCFR-12,
HCFC Blend Beta)
1,430
3,337
2,377
1,900
1,893
1,606
1,592
1,510
1,478
1,410
1,080
Unacceptable
as of MY 2021**
Unacceptable
as of MY 2017
HFO-1234yf
HFO-1234yf is a refrigerant being introduced by many
automobile manufacturers; there are cars on the road today
using this alternative, and at least nine MY2014 vehicles
are using HFO-1234yf in the U.S., including those sold by
General Motors, Chrysler, Honda, and Range Rover (see text
box below)
Cooling performance and fuel use comparable to HFC-134a
Carbon Dioxide (C02, R-744)
C02 is a high pressure refrigerant being considered by
automobile manufacturers; systems operate at 5 to 10 times
higher pressure than other passenger vehicle AC systems
Cooling performance, energy efficiency, and fuel use
comparable to HFC-134a systems in temperate climates;
efficiency may drop in hotter climates
At least one global car manufacturer is beginning to develop
C02 passenger vehicle AC systems
Prototypes of compact electrically-driven systems for rail
vehicles (e.g., trams and local trains) undergoing long-term
testing in Europe
HFC-152a
Prototype systems using HFC-152a are under evaluation
globally
Good energy efficiency and cooling performance but
requires additional safety requirements compared to
standard HFC-134a systems
Although also an HFC, its GWP is only 9% that of HFC-134a
Refrigerant
CFC-12
HFC-134a
HFC-152a
HFO-1234yf
C02 (R-744)
GWP*
10,900
1,430
124
4
1
Note: CFC-12 is no longer used in new equipment because of its ozone
depletion potential.
* GWP values are from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007.
* Note: Refer to the Final Rule for more details on the changes
in listing status.
**Narrowed use limits apply for export to countries without
servicing infrastructure through model year (MY) 2025.
-------
TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES in Passenger Vehicle Air Conditioners
Future Outlook
Together, the suite of known alternative chemicals and new technologies can significantly reduce HFC emissions in both the near and
long term. The auto sector is already transitioning to climate-friendly alternatives in passenger vehicles, proving that they can move
quickly to protect the environment. As of the end of 2014, several million cars using HFO-1234yf were on the road in Europe and the
United States. Within the next few years, it is expected that many if not most new passenger vehicle models sold on the U.S. market
will contain climate-friendly alternative refrigerants.
SNAP Facts
Authorized under Clean Air ActTitle VI
Evaluates substitutes and lists as acceptable those that reduce overall risk to human health and environment; lists
acceptable with use conditions if needed to ensure safe use; or lists as unacceptable.
Industrial sectors include: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Foam Blowing, Solvent Cleaning, Fire Suppression, Aerosols,
Sterilants,Adhesives, Coatings Sinks,and Tobacco Expansion.
Since it was established in 1994, SNAP has reviewed over400 substitutes.
SNAP considers:
Ozone Depleting Potential (OOP)
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Flammability
Toxicity
Occupational & Consumer Health/Safety The Emergence of HFO-1234yf Passenger
Local Air Quality Vehicle ACs in the U.S.
' Ecosystem Effects ucp __,
The Emergence of HFO-1234yf Passenger
Vehicle ACs in the U.S.
While HFC-134a has been the dominant refrigerant in
use in passenger vehicle ACs since the early 1990s, the
first passenger vehicle ACs with HFO-1234yf refrigerant
emerged on the U.S. market in 2013in the Cadillac
XTS and the Honda Fit EV. At least seven other MY2014
vehicle models contain HFO-1234yf passenger vehicle
ACs, including: Chevrolet Spark EV, Chrysler 300, Dodge
Challenger, Dodge Charger, Jeep Cherokee, Range
Rover, and Range Rover Sport.
-------
TRANSITIONING TO LOW-GWP ALTERNATIVES in Passenger Vehicle Air Conditioners
References
Arkema. 2013. Arkema is announcing construction of production capacities
for new refrigerant fluorinated gas 1234yf. Press Release. September 4th,
2013. Available online at: http://www.arkema.com/en/media/news/news-
details/Arkema-is-announcing-the-construction-of-production-capacities-
for-new-refrigerant-fluorinated-gas-1234yf/?back=true.
Coons, Rebecca. 2010. "Honeywell, DuPont Form JV to Produce Refrigerant."
ChemicalWeek. May 24, 2010.
DuPont. 2014. DuPont Statement: White House Event Highlights the
Feasibility of Phasing Down HFCs under the Proven Montreal Protocol
Framework. September 16, 2014. Available online at: http://www2.dupont.
com/Refrigerants/en US/news events/article20140916.html.
Greenpeace. 2010. "Cool Technologies: Working Without HFCs2010,
Examples of HFC-Free Cooling Technologies in Various Industrial Sectors."
Presented at the 30th Open-Ended Working Group of the Parties to the
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. June 2010.
Available online at: http://www.unep.ch/ozone/Meeting Documents/
oewg/30oewg/conf-ngos/COOLING%20%20WITHOUT%20HFCs%20-%20
2010-GREENPEACE.pdf. Accessed September 30, 2010.
Honeywell. 2013. Honeywell Announces Major Investments To Increase
HFO-1234yf Production In The United States. 10 December 2013. Available
online at: http://honevwell.com/News/Pages/Honevwell-Announces-Major-
lnvestments-To-lncrease-HFO-1234vf-Production-ln-The-United-States.aspx.
International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2007. "Climate Change 2007:
The Physical Science Basis." Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M.
Tignor, and Hi. Miller (Eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United
Kingdom and New York, NY, USA. September 2007. Available online at:
http://www.ipcc.ch/publications and data/ar4/wg1/en/contents.html.
Accessed September 30, 2010.
Korzeniewski, Jeremy. 2009. "HFO-1234yf: Get Used to Hearing It."
Autoblog Green. October 24,, 2009. Available online at: http://green.
autoblog.com/2009/10/24/hfo-1234vf-get-used-to-hearing-it/
Accessed September 20, 2010.
Mendel, Jenny. 2010. "GM to Use Climate-Friendly Refrigerant." Greenwire.
July 26, 2010.
Nelson, Gabe. 2013. Automakers' switch to new refrigerant will accelerate
with EPA credits, European mandate. Automotive News. Available online at:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20131230/OEM01/312309996/warming-
to-the-idea#.
Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). 2013. "Decision
XXIV/7 Task Force Report: Additional Information to Alternatives on ODS."
September 2013. Available online at: http://ozone.unep.org/Assessment
Panels/TEAP/Reports/TEAP Reports/TEAP TaskForce%20XXIV-7-
September2013.pdf. Accessed August 21, 2014.
Technology and Economic Assessment Panel (TEAP). 2014. "Decision
XXV/5 Task Force Report: Additional Information to Alternatives on ODS
(Draft Report)." May 2014. Available online at: http://ozone.unep.org/en/
teap-mav2014-decision-xxv5-task-force-report-additional-information-
alternatives-ods-draft-report. Accessed August 21, 2014.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2013. Inventory of U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990- 2011. April 12, 2013.
Available online at: http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/
usinventorvreport.html.
SNAP
SIGNIFICANT NEW ALTERNATIVES POLICY
EPA430F14021 www.epa.gov September 2015
------- |