Opel Says New Refrigerant Passed “Realistic” Crash Test

General Motors Co.'s Opel unit has proclaimed safe a controversial new refrigerant required since Jan. 1 in new cars sold in Europe, Reuters reports.

Opel says the refrigerant, HFO-1234yf, leaked but did not ignite after a "realistic" crash at 31 mph, according to the news service report. The test was conducted by independent testing agency TUV Rheinland using an Opel Mokka crossover.

Daimler AG has refused to use 1234yf. The company said its simulated crash test last August caused the material to leak and mix with air-conditioning system compressor oil, then catch fire and release toxic hydrogen fluoride fumes.

Critics question the relevance of Daimler's simulation. DuPont and Honeywell, which co-developed the refrigerant, acknowledge the material can burn and release toxic gases. But they say the material behaves no differently than R134a, the industry's standard refrigerant. They also cite numerous independent tests and an SAE International assessment that the material is safe.

Daimler says it will continue using R-134a until it sees more definitive proof that 1234yf is safe. The European Commission is threatening to fine the company for ignoring its mandate that they begin using the new material now. It aims to abolish the older refrigerant by 2017.

Daimler and Volkswagen have said they intend to develop entirely new air-conditioning systems that use compressed carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. Experts say that could take years. One appeal of 1234yf is that it can work in existing A/C systems.

The new coolant has a global warming potential rating of 4 compared with 1,430 for R-134a.