A series of seminars called future:gas will tour the country in July and August to educate the motor trade on the new AC refrigernets and the essential equipment needed Bodyshops need to prepare themselves for vehicles entering the markes with air conditioning systems that use an all-new refrigerant R1234yf. The first vehicles began appearing in workshops in mid-2014, before cylinders of R1234yf and equipment to service systems using this gas became officially available on the local market. Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Group are also developing systems using a second refrigerant, R744, which will debut on high-end luxury cars before the technology trickles down to mainstream models. As R1234yf gas and related equipment becomes readily available in Australasia and more global manufacturers adopt the new refrigerant, the number of R1234yf equipped vehicles is set to balloon. Both new gases and the systems designed for them will present significant changes to the tools, working practices, component standards and workplace safety considerations relating to repair, service and refrigerant recovery. An industry-led initiative called future:gas will deliver seminars about these new technologies and the reasons they came about at locations around Australia and New Zealand in July and August this year. The seminars take place on mid-week evenings and cost just $10. Attendees to future:gas seminars will be among the first in Australasia to receive a comprehensive overview of the new-generation automotive industry-standard refrigerants. Each future:gas seminar will feature presentations from top industry experts, who will explain the reason for the changes, the technical background of the new refrigerants, new safe working practices and standards relating to the quality and design of both components and service equipment. Spaces are limited, so early booking is advised. Tickets are heavily subsidised by contributions from industry associations and corporate sponsorship and available from www.futuregas.ac. A futuregas.ac website is also planned to become an information resource for new-generation automotive refrigerants.
