EPA Eyes New Refrigerant for Truck AC to Fight Ozone Depletion
Published Date: 4/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA wants to officially approve a new refrigerant called HFO-1234yf for use in heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans’ air conditioning systems, but with some rules to keep things safe. This update adds details and invites the public to share their thoughts by May 6, 2026. If you’re in the trucking or van business, this could affect your cooling systems and might save money with better, cleaner options soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
EPA proposes HFO-1234yf for HD retrofits
The EPA proposes to list 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (HFO-1234yf) as "acceptable, subject to use conditions" for retrofit motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) in heavy-duty (HD) pickup trucks and complete HD vans. This is a supplemental proposal to the November 10, 2025 NPRM and the EPA is requesting comments by May 6, 2026.
Retrofits including CFC-12 allowed for HFO-1234yf
The proposed HFO-1234yf listing would allow retrofit use in MVACs originally designed for CFC-12 and in MVACs using refrigerants the SNAP program already lists as acceptable or acceptable, subject to use conditions, in this end-use. That explicitly extends retrofit eligibility for HFO-1234yf to certain existing vehicle refrigeration systems.
R-444A scope clarified — incomplete vans excluded
The EPA is clarifying that its November 10, 2025 NPRM listing for R-444A in the MVAC retrofit end-use was intended to apply only to heavy-duty pickup trucks and complete heavy-duty vans, and not to incomplete heavy-duty vans. This supplemental proposal makes that scope clarification explicit in the proposed changes to appendix B of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G.
Safety conditions and exposure limits noted
The EPA's risk screen found HFO-1234yf is not expected to cause a significant risk to the general population for retrofit use in HD pickup trucks and complete HD vans when manufactured for use and used under specified conditions. The EPA notes occupational exposure guidance of an 8-hour OEL of 500 ppm, that HFO-1234yf is an A2L (lower flammability) refrigerant with an LFL of 62,000 ppm and minimum ignition energy greater than 5,000 mJ, and that safe use depends on adherence to labeling (appendix D of 40 CFR part 82, subpart G), manufacturers' safety data sheets, engineering controls, and emergency response plans.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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