COversus Propane

Comparison of Propane (R290) and Carbon Dioxide (CO₂, R744) as refrigerants for electric buses

Choosing the right refrigerant plays an important role with regard to energy efficiency, safety, and environmental compatibility of HVAC systems in electric buses. The following comparison highlights the differences between the two natural refrigerants—propane (R290) and carbon dioxide (CO₂, R744)— compared in different categories, including energy efficiency, safety requirements, environmental impact, and long-term economic-effiency.

Conclusion
With all the latest data considered, CO (R744) remains the clearly superior choice for climate systems in electric city buses. Especially in the fields of energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability, CO₂ sets new standards, while propane performs significantly worse due to its environmental  impacts and its lower efficiency.

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