An informal straw poll of new vehicles on the Australian market suggests that R1234yf is finally becoming more commonplace as vehicle manufacturers begin to send cars here charged with the ultra-low-GWP refrigerant. However, some continue to drag the chain. Continue reading Uptake of R1234yf in cars imported to Australia seemed to accelerate during 2022
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to ban R134a in new vehicles and most HFC refrigerants from road and marine transport refrigeration from 2025. Continue reading United States proposes sweeping HFC bans for automotive and transport refrigeration
Students at UNSW Sydney have claimed a provisional Guinness World Record by designing and building a solar-powered electric car that travelled 1000km on a single charge in under 12 hours. Continue reading Australian-made, solar-powered electric car breaks 1000km record at average of 85km/h
VASA welcomed three new directors to its board during the organisation’s recent annual general meeting. Incoming president Brett Meads, who has been VASA vice president since 2013, succeeds Ian Stangroome. Mark Rowe, an owner of two auto-electrical workshops who joined the VASA board in 2019 and was recently elected to the board of Capricorn, becomes … Continue reading Meet the new VASA board
If racing improves the breed, controversy over the latest W206-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 S and its four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain may be unfounded as it shares plenty of tech with Lewis Hamilton’s company car. A total system output of 500kW and 1020Nm should also help sway those who think this is some kind of fancy Toyota Prius. … Continue reading New Mercedes-AMG C63 S plug-in hybrid is a thermal management masterclass
Next year’s Autocare convention in Brisbane is shaping up to be Australia’s largest education-led automotive event, its already packed line-up of trainers and speakers now confirmed to include renowned aftermarket diagnostic specialist Brandon Steckler from the United States. A qualified master technician and a world-renowned trainer, author and speaker, Brandon Steckler is an instructor at CarQuest Technical Institute … Continue reading Autocare 2023 training line-up firms for Brisbane event next June
The Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) has been awarded a grant from the Victorian Government’s Zero Emission Vehicles Commercial Sector Innovation Fund to help it become a new Zero and Low Emission Vehicle (ZLEV) hub, supporting the vehicle evolution within the aftermarket manufacturing, service, repair and modification sectors. The grant will help the AIC to break down … Continue reading AIC gets funding to prepare for electrified vehicle modifications and customisation
Darwin-based Arctic Installations has received funding to locally manufacture its innovative refrigerated truck and cool room insulation panels insulation solution, designed for the unique climatic and weather requirements of tropical regions. The company constructs refrigerated trailers from scratch and has an HVAC/R partner come in to install the refrigeration systems. It intends to displace fully … Continue reading Local manufacture of refrigerated truck and cool room insulated panels in the Top End
Australian federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has announced a new bill intended to introduce “stronger measures to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and continue to play its part in helping heal the world’s ozone layer”. In addition to ozone-depleting substances, the legislation also manages synthetic greenhouse gases such as HFCs like … Continue reading Ozone laws updated as report finds ‘Black Summer’ bushfires damaged the ozone layer
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are becoming an increasing topic of concern due to the fact they do not easily break down and start to accumulate in the environment and living organisms, then make their way up the food chain in potentially high concentrations. Several northern European countries and the EC is undertaking work on … Continue reading Global PFAS concerns will likely lead to tougher refrigerant controls, Australia opens consultation
