Implementing Low-GWP Technologies in MVAC Systems: Challenges and Regulatory Approaches

Mobile Vehicle Air Conditioning (MVAC) systems are a substantial source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The use of high-GWP R-134a in MVAC systems contributes a lot to the inflated climate footprint of the segment. In recent years, with the Kigali Amendment in 2016, there has been an increasing push from the regulators in the US and EU to make a shift from R-134a to more climate friendly refrigerants such as olefins (R-1234yf), low-GWP HFCs (R-152a) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). In terms of development and demonstration, these alternative technologies have come a long way in the last few years and are almost ready to be implemented. However, barring a few instances, the uptake and deployment-at-scale of these technologies have not really taken place till now in India, and in other parts of the world despite the regulatory push. In this context, this paper will take stock of the challenges in deploying and implementing these technologies at scale, particularly with an eye to domestic realities in India, as well as the ideal policy landscape which can facilitate the mainstreaming of alternative refrigerant technologies.