Japanese air conditioner manufacturer Daikin Industries has developed a refrigerant specifically for EVs, and plans to commercialize the product by 2025, according to a report by Nikkei Asia.

At present, the most common refrigerant for use in EV air conditioners is R-1234yf, sold under the names Opteon YF by Chemours and as Solstice YF by Honeywell. Daikin’s new refrigerant has a boiling point of about -40° C, 10 to 15 degrees lower than that of R-1234yf. This reduces the power required for compression, which Daikin says could significantly extend an EV’s range.

R-1234yf can cost up to $270 per vehicle, according to Daikin. The company will “consider the price of the new refrigerant while looking at market prices.” 

SAE International will verify the performance and safety of the new refrigerant under operating conditions. Daikin is not currently in the automotive market, but anticipates that supply chains will change dramatically with the shift to EVs.

Source: Nikkei Asia