Comparison and Prospect of Alternative Refrigerants for MAC Based on New PFASs Restriction Regulation Proposal

With the adoption and implementation of the Kigali Amendment in China, the R134a refrigerant has gradually reduced and could be eliminated in China′s mobile air conditioning (MAC). Currently, the most important alternative refrigerants for MAC are R1234yf, CO₂, and R290; however, China has no criteria for the selection of these three refrigerants. Recently, Germany and five other countries have proposed regulations to restrict PFASs, and R1234yf has also been included in the restricted list; therefore, the prospect of R1234yf is not optimistic. In this context, this study compares R1234yf, CO₂, and R290 in terms of environmental protection, safety, economy, and system performance. Relevant research results and conclusions are summarized, and the latest PFAS substance restriction proposal involving MAC was organized and analyzed. These efforts provide direction for the research of alternative refrigerants in the field of MAC in China, which may be used as a basis for the selection of alternative refrigerants for MAC in the future.