Green group calls for end to subsidies for EVs using R1234yf
22nd June 2026
GERMANY: The influential German environmental aid association Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is calling on the German government to end subsidies for electric cars with R1234yf refrigerants in their AC systems.
In letter to federal environment minister Carsten Schneider, the DUH argues that the standard refrigerant for all new cars, 1234yf, is a danger to the environment and health due to its transformation into the “forever chemical” TFA.
The German government currently offers subsidies ranging from €1,500 to €6,000 for private individuals purchasing or leasing new electric vehicles.
“Since 1234yf is now the predominant refrigerant in car air conditioning systems, we will face a permanently increasing and persistent burden from TFA in the coming years – subsidised by taxpayers’ money,” said DUH MD Jürgen Resch.
He insisted that the German government should change course and restrict subsidies to electric cars that he said “use climate-friendly and environmentally sound refrigerants such as CO2”.
The German car manufacturers Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche all produce vehicles using CO2 refrigerant in their air conditioning systems.
This is the second such letter that the DUH has sent on the subject, the first receiving no response. This time he has requested a formal response by July 6.
