Push for adoption of R1234yf in off-road vehicles
11th December 2019
USA: A leading US association is pushing for the adoption of R1234yf in the air conditioning systems of off-road mobile machinery.
Worldwide moves to adopt lower GWP refrigerants has led to R1234yf replacing R134a in new motor vehicles. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is now proposing similar moves in tractors and other off-road vehicles.
AEM represents more than 1,000 off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide.
In a new report, the AEM makes the case for R1234yf in new agricultural tractors and was completed in accordance with US EPA specifications under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP).
“The efforts of AEM’s SNAP application development team serve as an example of equipment industry stakeholders from a variety of competing companies coming together and proactively asking for a change that will very positively impact the environment and significantly reduce global warming potential of the refrigerant,” said AEM director of materials management John Wagner.
It argues that the availability of R134a is already being restricted and phased out in many markets, and, without a suitable alternative, the availability of cab refrigerant will become more of a challenge.
The US SNAP programme is designed to provide a safe, smooth transition away from ozone-depleting substances by identifying acceptable substitutes.
