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 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:

EU Legislation: