Sensata Debuts R290 P+T Sensor for EV Thermal Systems
The combined pressure and temperature sensor helps automakers safely adopt flammable, PFAS-free propane refrigerants in EVs.
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Sensata Technologies has introduced the R290 Pressure + Temperature (P+T) Sensor, designed specifically to help automotive OEMs integrate propane (R290) refrigerants into the thermal management systems of electrified vehicles. As the automotive industry shifts toward refrigerants with a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) that are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), propane has emerged as a highly efficient alternative.
However, its natural flammability requires stringent safety and leakage controls. Sensata’s new sensor addresses these challenges by delivering highly accurate, combined pressure and temperature measurements to ensure safe and optimized system operation.
The integrated P+T sensor features a leakage-optimized design that minimizes refrigerant loss over the vehicle's lifespan, supporting strict environmental and safety targets. Available with flexible integration options, including Analog and LIN outputs, the robust component facilitates precise diagnostics and control of complex HVAC and heat pump architectures in battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid platforms (PHEVs). By providing a fast response time and reliable sensing in demanding automotive environments, the solution allows manufacturers to confidently transition to next-generation, sustainable thermal management technologies.
Additional Context
This section provides technological and market background not explicitly detailed in the original release.
The automotive industry is facing mounting regulatory pressure, particularly in Europe, to phase out synthetic fluorinated refrigerants (F-gases) such as R134a and R1234yf. While R1234yf has a low GWP, it degrades in the atmosphere into trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a persistent "forever chemical" (PFAS) currently facing potential broad restrictions. Propane (R290) is a natural refrigerant with a negligible GWP of 3 and excellent thermodynamic properties for EV heat pumps, significantly improving cold-weather battery range. However, R290 is classified as an A3 (highly flammable) refrigerant. Deploying it safely in passenger vehicles requires minimizing the system's charge volume and strictly preventing gas from entering the cabin. By combining both pressure and temperature sensing into a single hardware node, engineers eliminate redundant connection points in the refrigerant loop, inherently reducing the mechanical risk of micro-leaks. Furthermore, the extreme precision of this sensor is vital; the vehicle's thermal management controller relies on instantaneous P+T data to detect minute pressure anomalies indicative of a leak, triggering safety shutoffs long before explosive gas concentrations can form.
Edited by Lekshman Ramdas, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.
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