Coolants and compliance are about to come under the spotlight yet again as the European Commission (EC) is poised to make good on its threat to Germany.
The MAC Directive requires automotive manufacturers to use low global warming potential (GWP) coolants in vehicles sold in the EU, but not everybody is playing by the rules. Most OEMs have turned to HFO-1234yf as a quick fix – it has a GWP of less than 1 and is a drop-in replacement for the previously favoured HFC-134a.
The holdout has been Daimler. The OEM has said that its own in-house testing of HFO-1234yf revealed an increased risk of flammability in certain situations, and it has refused to use it. While the MAC Directive sets a GWP limit of 150 for automotive refrigerants, it does not dictate the use of HFO-1234yf in particular. Daimler could implement a CO2-based system, for example, though this would admittedly require investment and time as it doesn’t represent a drop-in replacement.
Daimler has said that its own in-house testing of HFO-1234yf revealed an increased risk of flammability in certain situations, and it has refused to use it
The trouble is that Daimler simply reverted to the banned HFC-134a coolant and Germany has stood by and allowed it. To skirt around the legality issue, Daimler suggested an extension to a previous type-approval of the vehicles covered by the MAC problem.
There has been some minor resistance in France, which tried to ban the sale of certain Mercedes-Benz models but later had the move overturned in court. With no action taken against Germany, other countries (including the UK, as well as Belgium and Luxembourg) and other OEMs started to become interested. If Daimler could get away with it, if German OEMs weren’t going to follow the MAC directive, why should they? Widespread violation of the MAC Directive threatened, spurring action from the EC.
In January, it officially requested that German authorities fully apply the MAC Directive to vehicles produced by Daimler and reprimanded the country for allowing Daimler to carry on as it did. At the time, Germany was given a few months to reply. It is now September and the front has been noticeably quiet.
The new incoming Commission, which takes office on 1 November, may have other priorities but it would be wise to keep the issues of compliance and enforcement front and centre. If it turns a blind eye to coolant compliance, will emissions be next?
German media reports are now emerging that the EC is poised to push the proceedings against Germany for the non-compliance of the MAC Directive when it meets next week. A fine is likely, though how hefty this would be depends on a number of factors.
The new incoming Commission could also complicate developments. The new political hierarchy, which takes office on 1 November, may have other priorities but it would be wise to keep the issues of compliance and enforcement front and centre. If it turns a blind eye to coolant compliance, will emissions be next?
The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Automotive World Ltd.
Megan Lampinen is Business Editor at Automotive World.
The AutomotiveWorld.com Comment column is open to automotive industry decision makers and influencers. If you would like to contribute a Comment article, please contact editorial@automotiveworld.com.
