Type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles

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Type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles

Proposal

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 October 2007 on type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles and amending Directive 2007/46/EC [COM(2007) 593 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Harmonisation at European level of the technical requirements for hydrogen-powered vehicles would make it possible to avoid the adoption of requirements which vary from one Member State to another and guarantee the smooth functioning of the internal market. Furthermore, the number of vehicles in the transport sector with innovative propulsion technologies or which use alternative fuels with a low environmental impact should be increased.

The proposal for a Regulation therefore lays down requirements for the type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles and for the installation of components and systems in these vehicles.

The Regulation would apply to hydrogen-powered vehicles in categories M and N, and to the hydrogen components and hydrogen systems intended for these vehicles.

Obligations of the manufacturers

Manufacturers must demonstrate that the new hydrogen-powered vehicles (and their hydrogen components or hydrogen systems) sold, registered or put into service in the EU are type-approved in accordance with the Regulation. The components and systems must also be tested and installed in accordance with the Regulation.

The manufacturers must supply the competent type-approval authorities with information on the vehicle specifications and test conditions, and also on the inspections carried out during the service life of the vehicle.

General requirements

Manufacturers must ensure that:

• the hydrogen components and systems function in a correct and safe way, and that they withstand the electrical, mechanical, thermal and chemical operating conditions without leaking or visibly becoming deformed, and also withstand these temperatures and pressures throughout their entire service life;
• the materials used for the hydrogen components and systems which are to be in direct contact with hydrogen are compatible with hydrogen;
• the hydrogen components are marked in accordance with the implementing measures and that all hydrogen components with directional flow have the flow direction clearly indicated.

Applicable requirements

The proposal for a Regulation clarifies the requirements applicable to:

• hydrogen containers designed to hold liquid hydrogen. These must be tested in accordance with specific procedures detailed in the Annex to the document;
• hydrogen components other than containers designed to hold liquid hydrogen. These must also be tested with regard to their type and in accordance with specific rules set out in the Regulation. Requirements will also be set for pressure-relief devices;
• hydrogen containers designed to hold compressed (gaseous) hydrogen. They will be classified and tested pursuant to specific procedures detailed in the Annex to the document;
• hydrogen components other than containers designed to hold compressed (gaseous) hydrogen. These components will be tested in accordance with specific procedures detailed in the Annex to the document.

Implementing measures and sanctions

The European Commission must adopt implementing measures for:

• the administrative provisions for the EC type-approval of vehicles (hydrogen propulsion, hydrogen components and systems);
• the information to be provided by manufacturers for the purposes of type-approval and periodic inspection;
• the detailed rules for the test procedures and the installation of hydrogen components and systems;
• the requirements for the safe and reliable functioning of hydrogen components and systems.

It may also adopt implementing measures for the specific technical requirements or other requirements regarding new forms of hydrogen storage or usage, impact protection for the vehicles, integrated system safety requirements or insulation and electrical safety.

The Member States must establish a system for effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for infringement of the provisions. The types of infringement subject to a penalty include false declarations or the falsification of test results for type-approval, the withholding of data which could lead to the withdrawal of type-approval or refusal to provide access to information.

Background

The European internal market comprises an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons and capital is ensured. To that end, the EU has established a comprehensive type-approval system for motor vehicles. At present, the Community type-approval system does not include specific provisions for hydrogen-powered cars. Consequently, these cars are not marketed in a uniform manner within the EU. This proposal for a Regulation sets out a harmonised framework for the placing on the market of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles.

References

Proposal	Official Journal	Procedure
COM(2007) 593 final	–	Codecision COD 2007/0214