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Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Mobile Air Conditioners in the EUfrom Mobile Air Conditioners in the EU

Dr. Matti Vainio, Principal AdministratorDr. Matti Vainio, Principal Administrator

European Commission, DG EnvironmentEuropean Commission, DG Environment

2002 SAE Automotive Alternate Refrigerant 2002 SAE Automotive Alternate Refrigerant Systems Symposium Scottsdale 9 July 2002Systems Symposium Scottsdale 9 July 2002

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OutlineOutline

• Environmental impact of mobile air conditioningEnvironmental impact of mobile air conditioning• European Commission’s agenda European Commission’s agenda

– current legislationcurrent legislation

– legislation in the pipelinelegislation in the pipeline

– options for additional actionoptions for additional action

• Comments on the optionsComments on the options• Next stepsNext steps• Caveat: Impact of heat-pump operation Caveat: Impact of heat-pump operation notnot

covered in this presentation (but should be)covered in this presentation (but should be)

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IntroductionIntroduction

• Mobile air conditioners are penetrating the EU car fleet Mobile air conditioners are penetrating the EU car fleet very fast.very fast.

• Many are concerned about the potential environmental Many are concerned about the potential environmental impact of this.impact of this.

• EU’s Environment ministers asked the European EU’s Environment ministers asked the European Commission Commission “study and prepare measures in reduction of “study and prepare measures in reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions from air conditioning in all greenhouse gas emissions from air conditioning in vehicles"vehicles".(10 October 2000).(10 October 2000)

• Do to do this well, we need good co-operation with Do to do this well, we need good co-operation with industry experts, and among regulators in the the US, industry experts, and among regulators in the the US, Japan and elsewhere...Japan and elsewhere...

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What are the environmental What are the environmental impacts of mobile air conditioners?impacts of mobile air conditioners?

• At manufacturing stageAt manufacturing stage– various - not covered herevarious - not covered here

• COCO22 emissions due to extra weight emissions due to extra weight

• Leakage of HFC (1300 more potent than COLeakage of HFC (1300 more potent than CO22))– during use, servicing of equipment, accidents, component during use, servicing of equipment, accidents, component

failures etc.failures etc.

• HFC emissions at the end-of-life HFC emissions at the end-of-life • Additional fuel consumption at operation stageAdditional fuel consumption at operation stage

– large variations between large variations between LaplandLapland and and CreteCrete

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The problemThe problem

• By 2010, greenhouse gas emissions could be even By 2010, greenhouse gas emissions could be even higher than 50 Mt of COhigher than 50 Mt of CO22 eq in the European Union eq in the European Union – assuming a lifetime leakage of rate is 15% or 120 g p.a.assuming a lifetime leakage of rate is 15% or 120 g p.a.– 7% of all greenhouse gas emission from EU’s road sector 7% of all greenhouse gas emission from EU’s road sector

… … or equivalent of 24 grams of COor equivalent of 24 grams of CO22 per kilometre per kilometre• Note average CONote average CO22 emissions of the European car fleet are emissions of the European car fleet are

targeted to be 140 grams per km by 2008. targeted to be 140 grams per km by 2008. • Agreement with EU-manufacturers equivalent to about 36 mpg Agreement with EU-manufacturers equivalent to about 36 mpg

or about 30% better than CAFE standardor about 30% better than CAFE standard

• Situation could be even worse if lifetime leakage Situation could be even worse if lifetime leakage rate are 300 gr per annum as could be the case “No rate are 300 gr per annum as could be the case “No R&R” (Atkinson & Baker, 2002) R&R” (Atkinson & Baker, 2002)

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Life leakage of HFC-134aLife leakage of HFC-134a Lifetime Refrigerant Requirement

(System charge 28 ounces)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140

Factory Charge

1st Service

2nd Service

3rd Service

R&R + Rec. At Scrap

With R&R

No R&R

Ounces of Refrigerant

New Refrigerant

RecoveredRefrigerant

DiagnosticCharge

UnnecessaryEmissions

Graph 9

Source: Atkinson and Baker (2002) Mobile Air Conditioning Systems and the Environment

(300gr/year)

(150/year)

(120gr/year)

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GHG emissions (grams COGHG emissions (grams CO22 eq per km of eq per km of

R-134a) under different assumptions R-134a) under different assumptions

0

5

10

15

20

25

Optimistic Middle of theroad

Pessimistic

Fuel consumptionEnd-of-lifeLeakageWeight Note: Energy

efficiency of MACs is

assumed to be constant in

these alternatives

Leakage rates: 40 gr/year 80gr/year 120 gr/year

(150/year)

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Legal Basis for EU wide action: the Legal Basis for EU wide action: the Amsterdam TreatyAmsterdam Treaty

• According to the Treaty, (which is the According to the Treaty, (which is the “constitution” of the European Communities) the “constitution” of the European Communities) the European Commission makes legislative proposals European Commission makes legislative proposals for products that are sold throughout the EU - for products that are sold throughout the EU - Main legal instruments are Main legal instruments are

– Regulations Regulations

• which need no transposition to national legislationwhich need no transposition to national legislation

– DirectivesDirectives

• which need to be transposed to each Member States legislationwhich need to be transposed to each Member States legislation

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European Agenda European Agenda

• End-of-Life Vehicle DirectiveEnd-of-Life Vehicle Directive, , (transposed by(transposed by 21 21 April 2002) requires recovery of R-134a April 2002) requires recovery of R-134a

• Modify EC RegulationModify EC Regulation on Ozone Depleting on Ozone Depleting Substances Substances to contain fluorinated gasesto contain fluorinated gases

– Commission proposal by the end of 2002Commission proposal by the end of 2002

– Handling refrigerants (from vehicle production to after- Handling refrigerants (from vehicle production to after- market service and repairs)market service and repairs)

– Minimum requirements for training levels of personnel Minimum requirements for training levels of personnel who handle refrigerants who handle refrigerants

– Design equipment to be as leak proof as possibleDesign equipment to be as leak proof as possible

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Agenda: Options to reduce GHG Agenda: Options to reduce GHG emissions from Mobile Air Conditioners emissions from Mobile Air Conditioners

Positive COPositive CO22 and HFC effects and HFC effects

• Having no MAC Having no MAC • Discouraging the purchase of MACs Discouraging the purchase of MACs

– ““climate” charge on mobile air conditioners (regardless climate” charge on mobile air conditioners (regardless the refrigerant based on total COthe refrigerant based on total CO22 eq emission) eq emission)

• Unbundling of the price of mobile air conditioner Unbundling of the price of mobile air conditioner from the price of the vehiclefrom the price of the vehicle – leaving the choice to consumerleaving the choice to consumer

• Reducing the charge in MACsReducing the charge in MACs

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Agenda: Options…Agenda: Options…Positive COPositive CO22 effect effect (no HFC effect)(no HFC effect)

• Making minimum energy requirements for MACs Making minimum energy requirements for MACs • Making minimum requirements to the controls of Making minimum requirements to the controls of

MACs MACs • Making consumers knowledgeable about the Making consumers knowledgeable about the

additional fuel consumptionadditional fuel consumption– Including the effect of MAC to Including the effect of MAC to test cycles test cycles

… … and subsequently to the and subsequently to the labellabel displayed describing displayed describing fuel consumption and COfuel consumption and CO2 2 emissionsemissions

– Including the effect of MAC to each cars digital display Including the effect of MAC to each cars digital display e.g. as part of fuel consumption informatione.g. as part of fuel consumption information

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Agenda: Options…Agenda: Options…Positive HFC effect (no CO2 effect)Positive HFC effect (no CO2 effect)

• Make minimum technical (design) requirements Make minimum technical (design) requirements MACs to reduce leakageMACs to reduce leakage– Lifetime warranty?Lifetime warranty?

– Note: EPA requires already now all US cars to meet the Note: EPA requires already now all US cars to meet the environmental standards up to 100,000 miles (160,000 km)environmental standards up to 100,000 miles (160,000 km)

• Make leak detection as easy as possibleMake leak detection as easy as possible– include a marker/smell/dye with HFC-134a (smell for CO2?)include a marker/smell/dye with HFC-134a (smell for CO2?)

– design MAC systems for easy detection and repairdesign MAC systems for easy detection and repair

• Inform consumers about the leakage of MACsInform consumers about the leakage of MACs– Leakage rate information when purchasing the carLeakage rate information when purchasing the car

– Leakage detectors with a displayLeakage detectors with a display

Check Air Conditioner

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Agenda: Options...Agenda: Options... Positive HFC effect Positive HFC effect (What about effect on CO(What about effect on CO22?)?)

• Have alternative coolants to replace HFC-134aHave alternative coolants to replace HFC-134a– Phase out the use of HFC-134a Phase out the use of HFC-134a

– Set a “climate levy” on each HFC-134a MACSet a “climate levy” on each HFC-134a MAC

– Set a “climate levy” on the coolant Set a “climate levy” on the coolant • €€20/tCO20/tCO22 eq would imply a charge of €15 per kg of HFC-134a eq would imply a charge of €15 per kg of HFC-134a

– Set a “climate subsidy” to introduce alternative Set a “climate subsidy” to introduce alternative coolantscoolants

• Industry commitment/voluntary agreement to Industry commitment/voluntary agreement to phase out the use of HFC-134a phase out the use of HFC-134a – in the EU and in the EU and in the worldin the world

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Some commentsSome comments

• Efficiency and safety of Efficiency and safety of alternative coolantsalternative coolants

• Cost-effectiveness of Cost-effectiveness of MACs based on MACs based on alternative coolantsalternative coolants– Does a MAC with Does a MAC with

alternative coolant cost alternative coolant cost more if mass produced, and more if mass produced, and if so how much?if so how much?

• European, US and European, US and Japanese manufacturers Japanese manufacturers set the set the de factode facto standards standards in the worldin the world– Leakage of HFC in the Leakage of HFC in the

OECD countries may be OECD countries may be much lower than in non-much lower than in non-OECD (non-Annex 1) OECD (non-Annex 1) countriescountries

– Thus, the European Thus, the European Commission is part of the Commission is part of the Mobile Air Conditioning Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Climate Protection PartnershipPartnership

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Some comments...Some comments...

• Additional fuel consumpt-Additional fuel consumpt-ion of MACs remains a ion of MACs remains a problem in any caseproblem in any case– Efficiency needs to be Efficiency needs to be

raised considerablyraised considerably• EU’s Motor Challenge EU’s Motor Challenge

ProgrammeProgramme gives support gives support

• MACs in trucks and MACs in trucks and buses: uncharted territory?buses: uncharted territory?

• Consumer is the Consumer is the king/queenking/queen– and has to make informed and has to make informed

choiceschoices

– Should the effect of MAC Should the effect of MAC on fuel consumption and on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emission at greenhouse gas emission at purchasing stage (Directive purchasing stage (Directive 1999/94/EC) be given?1999/94/EC) be given?

http://energyefficiency.jrc.cec.eu.int/motorchallenge/index.htmhttp://energyefficiency.jrc.cec.eu.int/motorchallenge/index.htm

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Next stepsNext steps

• Transposition and implementation of the End-of-Transposition and implementation of the End-of-Life DirectiveLife Directive

• Proposal for the Regulation on handling of Proposal for the Regulation on handling of refrigerantsrefrigerants

• Three studies in 2002 Three studies in 2002 – Handling of fluorinated gases (including HFC-134a)Handling of fluorinated gases (including HFC-134a)

– Fuel consumption Fuel consumption • study carried out by TNO to be finished by end of 2002study carried out by TNO to be finished by end of 2002

– Study to establish leakage rate(s)Study to establish leakage rate(s)• study carried out by Öko-Recherche and Ecofys to be finished study carried out by Öko-Recherche and Ecofys to be finished

by end of 2002by end of 2002

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Next steps...Next steps...

• Conference on the Conference on the Options to Reduce Greenhouse Options to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions due to Mobile Air ConditioningGas Emissions due to Mobile Air Conditioning– In 10-11 February 2003 in Brussels In 10-11 February 2003 in Brussels

– Focus on technical options and policy recommendationsFocus on technical options and policy recommendations

– Aim is to be able to decide on action after the ConferenceAim is to be able to decide on action after the Conference

– Clarify issues on that to reduce the environmental impact Clarify issues on that to reduce the environmental impact of MACs:of MACs:

• Extent of environmental impact: lifetime leakage, additional fuel Extent of environmental impact: lifetime leakage, additional fuel consumptionconsumption

… … including trucks and busesincluding trucks and buses

• Cost and safety of alternative systemsCost and safety of alternative systems

… … in the EU, elsewhere and in particular in developing countries in the EU, elsewhere and in particular in developing countries

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Conference on the Conference on the Options… (cont.)Options… (cont.)

– Four key presentations from industry (working titles):Four key presentations from industry (working titles):• Tightening of the HFC-134a systemTightening of the HFC-134a system

• CO2 as the alternative coolantCO2 as the alternative coolant

• HFC-152a as the alternative coolantHFC-152a as the alternative coolant

• Hydrocarbons as the alternative coolantHydrocarbons as the alternative coolant

– Also other presentations Also other presentations • see draft programmesee draft programme

– Small Organising Committee: Regulators and industry Small Organising Committee: Regulators and industry expertsexperts

• If interested in contributing or helping to organise the If interested in contributing or helping to organise the Conference, please contact Matti.Vainio@cec.eu.int and Conference, please contact Matti.Vainio@cec.eu.int and Andersen.Stephen@.epa.govAndersen.Stephen@.epa.gov

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Let’s trade places Let’s trade places for a minutefor a minute

With your very detailed With your very detailed knowledge of the environmental knowledge of the environmental

consequences of MACs:consequences of MACs:

What would you consider What would you consider smartest policy options to smartest policy options to reduce all greenhouse gas reduce all greenhouse gas

emissions of MACs?emissions of MACs?

Thank you!Thank you!

Welcome to Welcome to Brussels on 10-Brussels on 10-

11 February 11 February 2003!2003!