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 barrier, Regulatory gap
Assessment Severity
3
Assessment
Stimulation of hydrogen vehicles by incentives. More incentives are needed to stimulate hydrogen vehicles. More severe low emission zones or specific procurement rules for bus operators, that are pushed by more stringent decarbonisation targets for(public) transport, will give a strong push to hydrogen mobility deployment.
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. – no
b) parking places (e.g. underground)
i. – All intrinsically gas tight vehicles like CNG and CGH2 vehicles can drive in as long as the garage owner does not prohibit it. All underground parkings have to fulfil requirements regarding ventilation, to exhaust flue gases. These measures are sufficient to keep H2 concentration below threshold level in case of leakages. t
ii. – see i.
iii. – see ii
iv. – see i.
c) ferry
i. – no information
ii. – no information
iii. – not applicable
iv. – no information
d) trains
i. – no information
ii. – no information
iii. – not applicable
iv. – no information
e) others
i. – no information
ii. – no information
iii. – no information
iv. – no information
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. – as it the case for all types of buses
iii. – as it the case for all trolley buses
iv. – no
b) free/reduced fee parking
i. – no
ii. – no
iii. – no
iv. – no
c) tax incentives
i. – Regional competence: 100% electrical vehicles (BEV and FCEV) are exempted from yearly circulation tax without limitation in time, for CNG this exemption is also valid, but is only temporary until 2020. This exemption is only valid in Flanders, no equivalent exemptions exist in Wallonia or Brussels
National competence : Companies can deduct 120% of the car value from their taxable basis in the year of purchase and also 120% of the operational costs (with limitation to 75% for the fuel) the years after purchase. .
ii. – no
iii. – no
iv. – no
d) registration fee reduction
i. – 100% electrical vehicles (BEV and FCEV) do not pay a car registration fee (“BIV, Belasting op inverkeerstelling. This exemption is not valid in in Wallonia or Brussels)
ii. – no
iii. – no
iv. – no
e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London)
i. – free entrance in low emission zones, as for all cars below certain emission level
ii. – free entrance in low emission zones, as for all vehicles below certain emission level
iii. – not applicable
iv. – free entrance in low emission zones, as for all vehicles below certain emission level
f) public procurement rules
i. – no
ii. – no
iii. – no
iv. – no
g) others
i. – for vehicles categories M1 and N1 (cars and vans), a purchase grant is paid for BEV and FCEV cars. The grant was 5000 EUR in 2016 and is decreased with 1000 EUR every year until 2020 when it will disappear. The grant also decreases with higher car price. This fee is a regional instrument, but exists both in Flanders and Wallonia.
For companies that are investing in ecological technology an extra fee/funding exists (“Ecologiepremie plus”),which is e.g. valid for the purchasing of a hydrogen vehicle, the conversion of a vehicle to hydrogen or the installation of a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. ( 15% to 30% funding of the investment, for large companies or SME’s).
ii. – Ecologiepremie for companies, cfr. ii.
iii. – Ecologiepremie for companies, cfr. ii.
iv. – Ecologiepremie for companies, cfr. ii.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles or CNG
National legislation:
-
Exemptions for certain fuel types from 01072017 on.;
Decree concerning the Flemish Codex Taxation,, 13 Dec 2013, Chapter 2–Circulation tax; section 6 Exemptions; article 2.2.6.0.6.
List of fuel types that are exempted from yearly circulation tax.
- Ecologiepremie plus for companies; Decree on support for ecological investments; 17/12/2010
-
Exemptions on registration fee for certain fuel types from 01072017 on;
Decree concerning the Flemish Codex Taxation,, 13 Dec 2013, Chapter 3–Taxation on registration; section 6 Exemptions; article 2.3.6.0.2n
Exemptions on registration fee for certain fuel types
-
Purchase grant for electrical or hydrogen cars,
Decree of Flemish Government of Jan 8, 2016
Purchase grant for electrical or hydrogen cars
- Royal Decree on the transport of dangerous goods;ADR, transport of dangerous goods on road
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