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
The type approval procedure and registration is identical to that of normal cars, so there is no barrier.

Questions:

Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) a - cars (incl. taxis)
a - Hydrogen car
Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) b - buses
b - Hydrogen vehicle
Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) c - trolleybuses
c - N.A.
Question 1 How is a hydrogen vehicle classified? (as an electric/gas/hydrogen vehicle?) d - trucks
d - N.A.
Question 2 What type of type-approval is applicable? a - EU
a - EC–Type approval (“WVTA–approval”; Chapter III – VII of Directive 2007/46/EC. For Belgium this is translated into national legislation, for BE this is the royal decree “KB 15–03–1968” , with revised versions.
Question 2 What type of type-approval is applicable? b - National
b - 2. National type approval (of small series) (“NKS” approval; Art.23 of Directive 2007/46/EC and art. 12 of KB 15–03–1968 )
Question 2 What type of type-approval is applicable? c - Individual
c - Individual approvals (“IVA–approval”; Art.24 of Directive 2007/46/EC and art.13 of KB van 68 and part III of annex 26)
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 As a result of the 6th State reform, the homologation department of the Federal Government Department Mobility has been regionalised from July 1, 2014 and has moved effectively to the regions as of Jan 1, 2015. There are 3 approval authorities in Belgium: 1. “Vlaamse Overheid – Dep. Mobiliteit en Openbare Werken – Afdeling Beleid Mobiliteit en Verkeersveiligheid”; Flemish Department of Mobility and Public works, Section Policy for Mobility and Road Safety. 2. « Service Publique de Wallonie (SPW) – Direction générale opérationnelle de la Mobilité des voies hydrauliques– Direction Certification et Homologation » ; Public Service of Wallonia, Operational General Directorate of Waterways Mobility – Certification and Approval Department 3. « Bruxelles Mobilité – Direction Sécurité Routière » ; Brussels Mobility ; Directorate of Road Security b) for individual vehicle registration i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks – “Dienst voor Inschrijving van Voertuigen (DIV)” Service for registration of Vehicles of the federal public service Mobility and Transport.
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? a - cars (incl. taxis)
a - The overall type approval process is the same, but for a FCEV there are specific underlying system approvals necessary (cfr annex IV of the EU Directive). These required tests to get these system approvals can be done in any EU member state; obtained certifications are valid in every member state. The overall type approval process is usually done in 6 weeks, but the required system approvals can take 3 to 6 months. ,
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? b - buses
b - see i.
Question 4 Is there a difference in the type approval process for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? c - trolleybuses
c - see i.
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 - see i.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles and CNG vehicles

National legislation:

EU Legislation: