SightGlass

Doors Wide Open, a report recently published by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), has showcased how the illegal refrigerant trade is flourishing in Europe.  The detailed report reveals customs figures that indicate up to 16.3 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent HFCs made it into Europe illegally in 2018 – a figure equivalent to 16.1 per cent … Continue reading EIA shines a light on illegal refrigerant

VASA’S North American counterpart MACS has received reports of Chinese vehicles being sold into Uruguay with air-conditioning systems labelled as using the refrigerant blend R415b. This refrigerant is 25 per cent R22 (an ozone-depleting HCFC) and 75 per cent R152a (an A2-rated flammable HFC). It is reportedly installed in seven-seat minivan type vehicles sold in … Continue reading Chinese vehicles using R415b?

SNAP approval sought for broader use of YF The United States Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has proposed that R1234yf be considered for adoption in off-road mobile machinery under the US Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP). Representatives from AEM met with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in May to notify the regulatory body that … Continue reading R1234yf for off-highway vehicles

Greater efficiency from a smaller refrigerant charge Successful trials of a secondary loop car air-conditioning system could open the door to a range of alternative refrigerants with smaller charge sizes. Potential benefits to the consumer include improved fuel efficiency and lower servicing costs. As a global average, energy consumption by car air-conditioning is estimated at … Continue reading Secondary loop auto-AC trial results

Mercedes engineers grapple with passenger comfort for eCitaro bus Keeping bus interiors at the right temperature is a substantial task at the best of times, considering the huge internal volume, large glass area, frequent door-openings and constantly changing passenger loads.  According to Mercedes-Benz, the overall energy consumption of a city bus doubles at -10°C compared … Continue reading How to heat and cool an EV bus

Australia may be regularly dismissed as a laggard in terms of vehicle electrification, but a visit to the recent Brisbane Truck Show would have left few visitors in doubt over the future of road transport in this country. Electric trucks and drive systems were conspicuously and proudly displayed by big-name tier 1 suppliers such as … Continue reading Brisbane Truck Show 2019 showcases commercial vehicle electrification

Nissan has collaborated with British camper trailer manufacturer Opus to create a “smart camping concept” that uses second-life batteries from Nissan’s first-generation Leaf electric car to power “off-grid adventures”. The concept integrates a portable, self-contained and weatherproof ‘Roam’ powerpack produced by Nissan Energy that can power 230v and 12v appliances. Nissan Energy claims the Roam’s … Continue reading EV batteries go camping

What’s wrong with this picture? The Australian flag and Australia Post logo on a one-shot DIY can of R134a for a start. This is just a selection of illegal R134a found on Australian eBay during a quick search by SightGlass News. And they seem to be selling rather successfully! We found more of the same … Continue reading Illegal refrigerant trade Down Under?

Expert committee denounces lack of EC response to illegal, hazardous refrigerant import A new committee established to tackle the challenges of fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-gas) regulations has slated the European Commission’s handling of illegal refrigerants.  The ‘Initiative Coolektiv’, which is led by experts from companies such as Honeywell, Chemours and Westfalen, states that refrigerants equivalent … Continue reading Illegal refrigerant trade soldiers on