Chinese automaker Dongfeng is currently working with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) on a pilot project for a CO2 (R744)-based air conditioner for electric vehicles (EVs). This project is designed to ensure China is fully equipped to transition from R134a-based mobile air-conditioning (MAC) systems in cars by July 1, 2029, the date the country’s new regulation banning the use of refrigerants with a GWP of greater than 150 in new cars goes into effect.
However, Dongfeng isn’t the only Chinese company working on natural refrigerant-based MAC systems for cars. Several local automotive OEMs are developing CO2 and propane (R290) MAC systems for EVs, and many of them displayed their products at Auto Shanghai 2025, held April 23–24, several of which can be seen below.
Shanghai Highly
Shanghai Highly, one of the world’s largest compressor manufacturers, entered the automotive space in 2020 as part of a joint venture with Italian automotive OEM Marelli. The pair formed Highly Marelli, which is developing R290 thermal management systems and electric compressors for EVs. Shanghai Highly had a poster in Shanghai touting Highly Marelli’s R290 MAC developments, and at the 2024 China International Industry Fair, held in September in Shanghai, it shared information on the performance and design of the R290 electric compressor.
The compressor can reportedly ensure a stable startup for EVs in temperatures as low as −40°C (−40°F) and has been designed with a dual-circuit oil circuit that improves heating performance in temperatures below −5°C (−23°F). Zhou Yi, the CTO of Shanghai Highly Electric Appliances, will give a presentation on natural refrigerant-based automotive thermal management at Highly during the 2025 ATMO MAC Summit × TU Berlin. The event is being organized by ATMOsphere, publisher of NaturalRefrigerants.com, and will be held in Berlin September 23–24.
Welling
Midea Welling Auto Parts showed both CO2 and R290 electric compressors in Shanghai. The company is part of the China-based Midea Group and was founded in 2018. Chen Jintao General Manager of Welling, told Chinese automotive information site Youjia in a May interview that the company’s CO2 compressor can increase the range of EVs by 19% at −20°C (−4°F) and that it has a heating COP of 2 at −25°C (−13°F).
“This product is currently in preparation for mass production, with plans to launch in the European market this year,” he said. “In addition, due to booth space limitations, many new thermal management products were not on display, including ultra-compact electric compressors, compressor-integrated heating two-in-one modules and R290 compressor integrated thermal management systems.”
Megmeet
Megmeet showcased a CO2 integrated thermal module and an R290 electric compressor at its booth in Shanghai. The company has worked in the automotive industry for more than 20 years and also builds EV fast chargers, electric drivetrain systems and smart control platforms.
Mahle
Mahle is a Germany-based automotive OEM with an entity in China. In Shanghai, the company displayed an R290 compressor and a thermal management module. Mahle recently announced that it will bring a thermal management module – consisting of an air-conditioning compressor, heat exchanger, refrigerant pumps, sensors and valves – to IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, which will be held September 9–14. The unit is designed to use R1234yf but can also use “the alternative future refrigerant R290 with minor modifications,” according to the company.
“This provides automakers with security for the future when integrating the system in current vehicle platforms as extensive design modifications will not be needed to change the system over to the new refrigerant,” said Marco Warth, VP Corporate Research and Advanced Engineering at MAHLE, in a statement.
CCAG
China Changan Automobile Group (CCAG) is a Chinese automaker and one of the country’s four big car companies, a group that also includes Dongfeng. In Shanghai, CCAG brought an R290 secondary heat pump air-conditioning system with a double chiller system that can recycle waste heat from the cabin and battery or from the electric drive.
