Type approval & Individual vehicle registration - Process

This LAP analyses:
• The classification of hydrogen vehicles for type approval purposes,
• The applicable types of type approvals,
• The responsible approval authorities, and
• The differences in type approval process of hydrogen vehicles compared to conventional vehicles.

Glossary:

Type approval means the procedure whereby a EU Member State certifies that a type of vehicle, system, component or separate technical unit satisfies the relevant administrative provisions and technical requirements.
Motor vehicle registration is the registration of a motor vehicle with a government authority. The purpose of motor vehicle registration is to establish a link between a vehicle and an owner or user of the vehicle. While almost all motor vehicles are uniquely identified by a vehicle identification number, only registered vehicles display a vehicle registration plate and carry a vehicle registration certificate.
Council Directive 1999/37/ EC on the registration documents for vehicle/.
Registration means the administrative authorisation for the entry into service in road traffic of a vehicle, involving the identification of the latter and the issuing to it of a serial number, to be known as the registration number.

Pan-European Assessment:

The type approval process for hydrogen powered vehicles does not in general differ from that of conventional vehicles, however the hydrogen systems and components have to undergo a number of specific tests.

The requirements and procedures for the type approval of hydrogen powered vehicles are harmonized across EU and do not represent a structural barrier or a regulatory gap. Some issues may arise due to differences in interpretation, implementation and enforcement of the EU and UNECE regulations by national type -approval authorities. This may present an operational barrier and thus it is essential to ensure a correct and harmonised application of the type-approval procedures
Is it a barrier?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
In general, the type approval process for hydrogen vehicles does not differ from that of conventional vehicles, however the hydrogen systems and components have to undergo a number of specific tests.

Questions:

Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) a - cars (incl. taxis)
a - Hydrogen powered motor vehicle (79/2009)
Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) b - buses
b - Hydrogen powered motor vehicle (79/2009)
Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) c - trolleybuses
c - Hydrogen powered vehicle (79/2009)
Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) d - trucks
d - Hydrogen powered motor vehicle(79/2009)
Question 2 What type of type-approval is applicable? a - EU
a - EC–Type approval (Chapter III – VII of Directive 2007/46/EC and Chapter 1 of German Ordinance on Vehicle Approval)
Question 2 What type of type-approval is applicable? b - National
b - National type approval (of small series) (Art.23 of Directive 2007/46/EC and §9 of German Ordinance on Vehicle Approval)
Question 2 What type of type-approval is applicable? c - Individual
c - Individual approvals (Art.24 of Directive 2007/46/EC and §13 of German Ordinance on Vehicle Approval)
Question 3 Which is the responsible approval authority? a) for the type approval i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks b) for individual vehicle registration i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks
a) for the type approval i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks – EC–Type approval and National type approval (of small series) – Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA – Kraftfahrtbundesamt) - Individual approvals – Regional federal state approval authority (regional Genehmigungsbehörde, Landesamt) b) for individual vehicle registration i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks – the local vehicle registration authority (Zulassungsbehörde für Kraftfahrzeuge)
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? a - cars (incl. taxis)
In general the approval process for hydrogen vehicles is similar to that of conventional vehicles. The specific systems and components of the hydrogen vehicles such as high pressure gas tank, fuel stack, compressor, fuelling control units have to undergone a number of tests. - 1.EC–Type approval of cars – about 6–12 months, expected costs about 100 000 – 200 000€. 2. National type approval (of small series) – information not available 3.Individual approvals – about 1–3 weeks, expected costs about 10 000 – 20 000€. (difference is defined in EC 79/2009)
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? b - buses
b - In general the approval process for hydrogen vehicles is similar to that of conventional vehicles. The specific systems and components of the hydrogen vehicles such as high pressure gas tank, fuel stack, compressor, fuelling control units have to undergone a number of tests.
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? c - trolleybuses
c - In general the approval process for hydrogen vehicles is similar to that of conventional vehicles. The specific systems and components of the hydrogen vehicles such as high pressure gas tank, fuel stack, compressor, fuelling control units have to undergone a number of tests.
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? d - trucks If yes, please specify, e.g. how long does the procedure take and what are the costs to obtain a type approval?
d - In general the approval process for hydrogen vehicles is similar to that of conventional vehicles. The specific systems and components of the hydrogen vehicles such as high pressure gas tank, fuel stack, compressor, fuelling control units have to undergone a number of tests.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles

National legislation:

EU Legislation: