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
• 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.
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 barriers, Regulatory gap
Assessment Severity
1
Assessment
There are no restrictions in Bulgaria concerning FCEV. There are public discussions and initiatives for subsidies for EV in order to compensate the economic barrier. There are not enough economic incentives – cost is still high in comparison to standard vehicles. Further supplementary benefits for owners may be put forward – as personal income tax reduction.
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. – no
ii. – no
iii. – no
iv. – There are no restrictions – according to manufacturer’s specifications
If conversion with a fuel cell is applied – the regulations are applied for – flammability, magnetic compliance, reservoir requirements (CNG / LPG)
b) parking places (e.g. underground)
i. – CNG and CGH2 vehicles can drive in as long as the garage owner does not prohibit.
ii. – same
iii. – same
iv. – same
c) ferry
i. – n/a
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
d) trains
i. – n/a
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
e) others
i. – n/a
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
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. – no
ii. – no
iii. – no
iv. – no
b) free/reduced fee parking
i. – FCEVs are recognised (for tax purposes) as electric vehicles.
Under the Local Taxes and Fees Act, §1 p. 35 vehicles that use a motor with a purely electric power supply and do not have an internal combustion engine are “electric cars”. This provision applies for cars, buses, trolleys and trucks.
In large cities EVs park without tax in the “green” and “blue” parking zones
ii. – same
iii. – same
iv. – same
c) tax incentives
i. – no municipal annual tax & no registration tax for electric vehicles
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
d) registration fee reduction
i. – no fees
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London)
i. – n/a
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
f) public procurement rules
i. – Yes, there are. As an example the use of electric cars in the Bulgarian government and municipal administration is encouraged. 1 million BGN were provided by the National Trust EcoFund for partial subsidy for the purchase of electric and hybrid cars, and eco–buses from the state and municipal administration
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
g) others
i. – There is an initiative for providing a subsidy of 10 000 EURO for electric vehicles and 5 000 EURO for plug–in hybrid models. Another demand is for cars not to pay VAT, which will reduce their price by 20%. At the same time an estimate could be made that electric vehicles are 60–70% more expensive than a model with the same size and equipment, but with a traditional engine which is a direct economic barrier
ii. – n/a
iii. – n/a
iv. – n/a
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles
National legislation:
-
Road Traffic Act
Regulations for the use of roads
- Regulation No. I–45/2000 on the Registration, Reporting, Launching and Suspension of Motor Vehicles and Trailers Towed By Them
-
Ordinance on the Device, Safe Operation and Technical Supervision of Pressure Equipment
Requirements for the safe operation of pressure equipment
-
LAW ON LOCAL TAXES AND FEES
Law on Road Transport
- National electromobility financing program for the administration
EU Legislation:
-
Directive 2008/68/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on the inland transport of dangerous goods.
Extends the uniform rules of ADR to national transport.
Article 5
Restrictions on grounds of transport safety
1. Member States may on grounds of transport safety apply more stringent provisions, with the exception of construction requirements, concerning the national transport of dangerous goods by vehicles, wagons and inland waterway vessels registered or put into circulation within their territory. -
Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (Clean vehicle directive)
This Directive requires contracting authorities, contracting entities as well as certain operators to take into account lifetime energy and environmental impacts, including energy consumption and emissions of CO 2 and of certain pollutants, when purchasing road transport vehicles with the objectives of promoting and stimulating the market for clean and energy efficient vehicles and improving the contribution of the transport sector to the environment, climate and energy policies of the Community.
The Directive also sets the methodology for the calculation of operational lifetime as well as data for the calculation of operational lifetime costs of road transport vehicles, including hydrogen