Mercedes says it is will equip production models with CO₂ air conditioning systems to perform better than conventional systems and to be more environmentally friendly. The move is in response to a European Union (EU) directive that comes into effect in 2017.

Mercedes says it has tested the technology on all of its vehicle models and based on the results, designed its system to separate the refrigerant/air mixture from the hot engine components in the event of a collision.

S-Class with the CO2-based air conditioning system in an aeroacoustic wind tunnel in Sindelfingen, Germany. Image source: DaimlerIt also says that CO₂ systems operate at a pressure of greater than 100 bar, which is up to 10 times higher than the current typical R134a refrigerant systems. As such, the CO₂ systems require designs and components that can handle the increased pressure safely.

The upcoming EU legislation is based on the EU's climate protection requirements. Mercedes says it has been involved in drafting the standards for the use of the technology. It says the standards will help other carmakers to begin development of their own systems.

The German automaker claims to be the first to both award development contracts and place production orders for CO₂ air-con systems and their components. The European S- and E-Class models will be the first Mercedes cars equipped with the new technology.

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