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Germany Ordered to Ban Daimler’s Use of Banned Refrigerant
The EC says Germany will face court action and fines in two months if it fails to order Daimler AG to stop using an outlawed air-conditioning system refrigerant in its vehicles.
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The EC says Germany will face court action and fines in two months if it fails to order Daimler AG to stop using an outlawed air-conditioning system refrigerant in its vehicles.
Daimler has ignored an EU directive that took effect in January 2013 requiring all carmakers switch to R1234yf from the previous industry standard, R134a. Daimler claims the new material, which is about 1,000 times "greener" than R124a, can form dangerous fumes if ignited. Multiple independent labs describe Daimler's test as unrealistic and declare the refrigerant safe.
Germany has maintained that Daimler's position does not breach the EU ruling. One diplomatic source tells Reuters the country will respond to the EC directive in November.
In the meantime, Daimler insists it won't give up R134a until 2017, when it completes development of a new air-conditioning system that uses carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.
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