Supply for car AC workshops
R-134a: the working stock
R-134a replaced R-12 in vehicle air conditioning from the mid-1990s and remains the mainstream charge in the Indian fleet. Charges are small, typically a few hundred grams, which is why it is sold in small cans as well as cylinders.
We stock R-134a from Stallion and Refron (GFL) in cylinder sizes and in 450 g cans, subject to current stock. The product page lists what is available.
One commercial note worth knowing: a definitive anti-dumping duty on R-134a imported from China took effect in December 2025, which affects landed cost on imported material. See the anti-dumping duty guide.
R-1234yf: where it shows up
R-1234yf is an HFO with a GWP under 1, adopted first in Europe under the MAC Directive and now appearing on newer platforms in India, generally at the upper end. It is A2L, mildly flammable, which is the practical difference for a workshop.
Do not assume from the badge. Identify from the under-bonnet label, which states the refrigerant and the charge, and from the service ports, which are deliberately a different size and thread from R-134a ports. If the label is missing or unreadable, the manufacturer's service data is the answer, not a guess.
Recovery equipment is refrigerant-specific. An R-134a machine must not be used on an R-1234yf system, because cross-contaminating a recovery machine ruins the next several jobs it does.
Why mixing is worse in a vehicle
Vehicle charges are small, so contamination is proportionally large. A system charged with the wrong gas, or with a hydrocarbon substitute sold as a drop-in, will show pressures that do not match any diagnostic chart, and the workshop ends up chasing a fault that is actually a contents problem.
Counterfeit and adulterated automotive refrigerant is a real problem in this market, and the hydrocarbon blends sold as R-134a substitutes are flammable in a system not designed for them. Buy branded product from a registered seller, check the seal, and check the label. See the dangers of fake refrigerant.
What we supply
R-134a and R-1234yf, in original factory-sealed packaging, with an invoice naming the brand and product. For a workshop buying regularly, tell us your usual pattern and we will keep it in mind against stock.
Quick answers
What refrigerant does car AC use in India?
Almost all vehicles run R-134a. Newer platforms, generally higher-end or export specification, use R-1234yf. The under-bonnet label states which.
Can R-1234yf replace R-134a in an older car?
No. The systems use different service fittings and different equipment, and the vehicle is designed around one refrigerant. Follow the under-bonnet label.
How do I tell which refrigerant a vehicle takes?
Read the under-bonnet label, which states the refrigerant and charge weight. The service port fittings also differ deliberately between R-134a and R-1234yf.
Are hydrocarbon drop-in replacements safe for car AC?
No. They are flammable in a system not designed for them, and they make the circuit impossible to diagnose or recover correctly. Use the refrigerant the vehicle specifies.
- ASHRAE Standard 34 · A2L classification of R-1234yf · ashrae.org.
- Directorate General of Trade Remedies · anti-dumping findings on R-134a · dgtr.gov.in.
- US EPA · motor vehicle air conditioning refrigerant substitutes · epa.gov.
This guide is general information compiled from the cited sources — not legal, safety or engineering advice. Read our full disclaimer.
Related: Car AC refrigerant in India · R-134a supply · R-1234yf supply · Dangers of fake refrigerant