Toyota Rolls Out New Clean Air Conditioner

By George Anderson

According to United Press International, “Toyota Motor Corp. has the world’s first non-fluorocarbon car air conditioner, developed by DENSO, using a natural refrigerant, carbon dioxide, and its fuel cell. The hybrid vehicle FCHV includes the new air conditioner.”

Satoshi Watanabe, managing director of Toyota’s Thermal System Group says, “DENSO successfully reduces the impact of vehicles on the environment with the world’s first carbon dioxide air conditioner applicable to commercially produced vehicles.”

Moderator’s Comment: Two Questions–

1. Should retailers and others in the consumer goods
   and services business be environmental activists?


2. How are (or should) commercial fleet operators dealing
   with environmental concerns related to air pollution?

Congratulations to Toyota. HFC-134a, a hydrofluorocarbon
refrigerant, is currently used in car air conditioners. While HFC-134a is an
improvement over its chlorofluorocarbon predecessor (CFC-12), it still has a
significant negative impact on the environment. [George
Anderson – Moderator]

• New
  Non-Polluting Air Conditioner – United Press International