Mercedes responds to Brussels and tries to demonstrate the danger of the HFO-1234yf gas

For a few days now, the French government has banned the sale in France of the Mercedes Class A, Class B, CLA and SL models manufactured since June 12, as they use R134a gas for air conditioning. This gas was banned by the EU in all 28 member countries because, according to tests, its effects on global warming are considered 1,000 times greater than those of CO2.

However, Mercedes has always questioned the effectiveness of the gas proposed by the EU, as it has been conducting tests on this gas for several years and has discovered that it ignites easily, in addition to being highly toxic. Mercedes has responded to some media outlets and to the EU with a video demonstrating its danger.

This issue surrounding the gas used in air conditioning had started out as little more than an anecdote, but it has taken on great importance for the German brand, as in theory it could affect 55% of its vehicle sales in Europe, and even more if all 28 member countries go along with the measure.

In the video presented by Mercedes (dating from 2008 and in German), the effects of R123yf gas can be seen simulating a gas leak from a vehicle’s air conditioning system. The fact is that this gas’s autoignition point is 405 degrees, so if the gas comes into contact with the exhaust or the central part of the engine, a fire is guaranteed due to the gas still circulating through the air conditioner’s ducts.

However, in other tests carried out by other brands, for example by Opel, no fire was reported in the vehicle, even when a collision with another vehicle was simulated. The topic promises a long debate, one that has yet to be felt among the brand’s models sold in Spain.

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Via | El Mundo