Hanon Systems has surpassed production of one million electric compressors (eCompressors) using the natural refrigerant R744 (CO₂). The milestone, reached just 18 months after crossing the 500,000-unit mark, reflects the growing demand for advanced thermal management in electric vehicles.
Manufactured at the company’s Palmela, Portugal facility, the R744 eCompressors are supplied for Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, dedicated to electric vehicles (EVs).
The rapid adoption of these compressors underscores the importance of efficient and environmentally compliant climate systems as EV production expands in Europe.
R744 has a global warming potential (GWP) of “1,” which is the baseline reference used to compare all refrigerants. This means it contributes no more to global warming than CO₂ itself, making it a sustainable alternative to conventional refrigerants that often have GWPs in the hundreds or thousands.
In EV heat pump systems, R744 eCompressors circulate the refrigerant to deliver cabin heating and cooling while reducing energy draw from the battery. This helps maintain passenger comfort and mitigates the loss of driving range in cold conditions, one of the most persistent challenges in EV adoption.
For North America, the relevance is twofold: global automakers are increasingly standardizing EV platforms across regions, and regulations in the United States and Canada are moving toward lower-GWP refrigerants. This positions R744 systems as a technology likely to expand beyond Europe as climate policies tighten worldwide.
With experience across multiple refrigerants, Hanon Systems continues to advance solutions that balance performance, safety, and environmental requirements. Beyond R744, the company also develops systems compatible with other low-GWP refrigerants such as R290, as well as existing refrigerants in the global fleet.
Filed Under: Technology News