Restrictions & Incentives

This LAP investigates:
• The restrictions imposed on hydrogen vehicles using public and private parking places, tunnels and other facilities of the transport network,
• The existing financial and non-financial incentives for hydrogen vehicles

Glossary:

Restrictions & Incentives mean the privileges and the restrictions which could be established for hydrogen vehicles by using public and private parking facilities, tunnels other facilities of the transport network.

Pan-European Assessment:

Restrictions for hydrogen vehicles when using public road infrastructure may be imposed in relation to the on-board storage of high pressure or liquid hydrogen and their classification as dangerous goods according to ADR. In general, no substantial restrictions or barriers for hydrogen powered vehicles using the elements of the public transport network are identified.

Nevertheless, the passing through some categories of tunnels or parking in underground garages could be forbidden for some types of hydrogen powered vehicles, especially busses and trucks. Due to the limited number of the hydrogen powered vehicles in use, the potential restrictions on transportation of hydrogen powered vehicles with ferry or train are rather unknown. It is possible that the ferry/train operator may require information about the type of the vehicle to be transported or restrict the number of hydrogen powered vehicles transported on board. As a whole, there is no enough experience and sufficient information about the restrictions which may be imposed on hydrogen busses, trolleybuses ant trucks when using the facilities of the public transport infrastructure.

For purposes of achieving their energy and climate policy goals the majority of partner countries have adopted a number of policies, national legislative acts and support schemes for stimulating the market of electric, or low (zero) emission vehicles The FCEVs are legally defined as electric drive vehicles or as low (zero) emission vehicles and could benefit from the financial and non-financial incentives established for these types of vehicles.
The support measures mainly consist of tax and registration fee reductions and exemptions, the purchase grants and green or white certificates are less commonly used support tools. The toll charges exemptions are in place only in a few countries. The public procurement rules for acquisition of low emission vehicles are also not widespread used support instrument. In several countries, the local authorities may provide privileges for FCEVs such as access to bus lines and free/reduced parking in public parking spaces.
The existing support mechanisms are fragmented and mainly aimed at battery electric cars.
The lack of complex, appropriate and technology neutral support measures are considered as a significant economic barrier and in some cases as a regulatory gap for successful market deployment of the FCEVs.
Is it a barrier?
Yes
Type of Barrier
Economic barrier, Regulatory gap
Assessment Severity
3
Assessment
Regulatory gaps. It shows how the society in Spain is not aware about FCEV. Due to it, improvements are needed in order to facilitate the implementation of hydrogen vehicles in Spain. The development of an infrastructure and also government aids to promote the hydrogen technologies are needed if Spain wants to develop this market.

Questions:

Question 1 Is there any restriction for hydrogen vehicles?: a) use of tunnels i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks b) parking places (e.g. underground) i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks c) ferry i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks d) trains i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks e) others i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks
a) use of tunnels i. – Vehicles as FCEV are not considered yet in the law. The most similar case is NG vehicles, and there is no prohibition about their road in tunnels. ii. – No iii. – No iv. – Hydrogen propelled trucks are not covered by the law. b) parking places (e.g. underground) i. – This section is locally regulated. Due to it, there is different regulation as function of the local regulation. Zaragoza has limits explained the building processes, however there is no regulation about the topic yet. ii. – Same as a iii. – Same as a iv. – Same as a c) ferry i. – No ii. – No iii. – NA iv. – No d) trains i. – No ii. – No iii. – NA iv. – No e) others i. – NA ii. – NA iii. – NA iv. – NA
Question 2 Are there any incentives for hydrogen vehicles? a) access to specific lanes (e.g. bus) i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks b) free/reduced fee parking i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks c) tax incentives i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks d) registration fee reduction i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London) i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks e) public procurement rules i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks e) others i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks
a) access to specific lanes (e.g. bus) i. – Locally regulated ii. – Same as a iii. – Same as a iv. – Same as a b) free/reduced fee parking i. – Parking places are regulated by the local authorities. Due to it, It is possible that some restrictions could be applied. As an example, in Zaragoza, the mayor house allows the parking of electric vehicles without taxes. There is no information about hydrogen vehicles yet in Spain. ii. – Same as a iii. – Same as a iv. – Same as a c) tax incentives i. – As far as the vehicle use an alternative fuel, the hydrocarbons tax does not apply to this technology. ii. – Same as a iii. – Same as a iv. – Same as a d) registration fee reduction i. – The vehicles without emissions do not need to pay the registration fee. This registration fee is based in the CO2 emission level, and as far as the emission is 0, they are exempted. ii. – No iii. – NA iv. – No e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London) i. – It is regionally regulated. As an example, in Catalonia, the tool highway fee is avoided if an electric car is used. ii. – Same as a iii. – NA iv. – Same as a f) public procurement rules i. – NA ii. – NA iii. – NA iv. – NA g) others i. – The National Framework of Alternative Energies in Transportation purposes a list of measures that are planned to be set by 2020, fostering the alternative vehicles. More information in the final document. The National Framework of Alternative Energies in Transportation purposes also a plan incentive for these vehicles. Firstly MOVEA was launched with a total of 14260000 Euros, to promote the alternative vehicles. Lately, and in order to continue with the National Framework, MOVALT was launched. MOVALT is the evolution of MOVEA. MOVALT has 20.000.000 Euros to split between alternative vehicles incentives and infrastructure incentives. The aid is directed to encourage the acquisition of electric vehicles and FCEV, LPG, CNG and LNG vehicles. The maximum amount that is perceived for a hydrogen vehicle in the last MOVALT call was 5500 €. ii. – NA iii. – NA iv. – NA
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
NG vehicles, electric vehicles.

National legislation:

EU Legislation: