A story published by Safe To Work has highlighted how improperly maintained mobile air conditioning systems (MACs) can pose significant health issues. Safe To Work, which documents safety matters in the Australian mining sector, reported that a mobile plant operator has been diagnosed with a lung disease after 35 years’ work in civil construction and … Continue reading Clogged air-con system contributes to illness
The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has commended the work of refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, following the release of a paper highlighting the achievements of the global environment-protecting Montreal Protocol. “While you won’t find refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices studying about repair jobs for oxygen molecules in the stratosphere,” said ARC in a press release, … Continue reading ARC praises refrigerant techs
NZ VASA director‘s workshop could be first outside the European Mercedes-Benz dealership network to repair rR44 AC systems Unintended consequences. When Mercedes-Benz became the world’s first car manufacturer to factory-fit an R744 (carbon dioxide) air-conditioning system to the facelifted W222 S-Class limousine in 2017, the plan was to only release models with this groundbreaking HVAC … Continue reading Not one, but CO2
Volvo Trucks Australia has announced that the first FL Electric truck, one of the company’s two all-electric models, has arrived in Australia. The two-axle truck, which will be outfitted with an eight-pallet body and a tailgate lift, will undergo a series of evaluation processes with logistics company Linfox – which, like many other transport businesses, … Continue reading Zero-emissions trucks land in Australia
Some merit in draft plan but lacks direct impact required to ramp up EV adoption In the previous edition of SightGlass News, the Australian Government’s new and seemingly positive $A74.5 million “Future Fuels” investment scheme for zero- and low-emissions vehicles was outlined. The plan, which was mooted to increase the commercial and community uptake of … Continue reading Australian federal EV plan doesn’t go far enough
It is time for automotive workshops to consider the effect that electric cars might have on their operations but fortunately there is already much in the way of support for workshops looking to increase their repertoire and prepare for the future. Many are thinking about investing in the training and equipment required to assess and … Continue reading How to get up to speed on EV repairs
One of the long-standing issues with mobile or stationary HVACR equipment, is what happens if and when its refrigerant escapes to atmosphere. It might be due to a leak, or due to improper disposal of the equipment at the end of its life, but the net outcome is the same – a release of substances … Continue reading Solid-state tech could cut refrigerant woes
In 1996, Nissan unveiled an all-electric version of its Prairie people-mover. It was the result of decades of research and the first electric car with a lithium-ion battery – a high-capacity, low-weight solution that would become the standard solution for myriad electric vehicles (EVs). Nissan subsequently capitalised on its experience with the launch of the … Continue reading Nissan charges ahead with new EVs, tech
EUROPEAN logistics company ECS has equipped 76 refrigerated trailers with a solar panel system that reduces the annual fuel consumption of each trailer by 1000 litres. Such reductions in fuel use are estimated to cut the CO2 emissions of the reefer fleet by at least 2000 tonnes in ten years, minimising the environmental impact of … Continue reading Thermo King solar panel system cuts costs and emissions
Australian heavy vehicle, fleet and mobile equipment specialist GB Auto has signed a $250 million ($A322m) deal to supply electric conversion kits for 4x4s. The VASA member company, which is headquartered in Orange, New South Wales, will now be the exclusive Australia-wide distributor of products from Tembo – a Netherlands-based manufacturer of electric light vehicles, … Continue reading VASA member GB Auto signs $250M EV deal
