Kariya, Japan—The United Nations World Health Organization reported in 1996 that malaria and dengue fever could reach epidemic levels and spread farther from the equator as a result of a warmer climate.

If global warming can lead to outcomes like this, is it any wonder that DENSO is doing everything it can to preserve the environment and reduce greenhouse gases?

That’s why DENSO Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation have developed the world’s first non-fluorocarbon car air conditioner using natural refrigerant, carbon dioxide (CO₂). The FCHV, Toyota’s fuel cell hybrid vehicle launched on Dec. 2, includes this new CO₂ car air conditioner.

“DENSO successfully reduces the impact of vehicles on the environment with the world’s first CO₂ air conditioner applicable to commercially produced vehicles,” said Satoshi Watanabe, managing director responsible for the Thermal Systems Group of DENSO Corporation. “The new CO₂ air conditioner will not only protect the environment, but also strengthen our global competitiveness.”

DENSO’s new CO₂ air conditioner has the following advantages:

• Less global warming impact: The impact of CO₂ on global warming is 1/1,300 of HFC-134a.

• Excellent heating capacity: The non-fluorocarbon air conditioner heats air to rapidly raise cabin temperature by heat exchange between CO₂ refrigerant and air, without using heat from the engine.

• Retrieved through nature: CO₂ can be produced by purifying and distilling gas discharged from chemical plants.

But we’re not stopping there.

“We will attempt to further improve the performance, reduce cost and weight, and secure the reliability of CO₂ air conditioners,” Watanabe said.