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
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:

EU Legislation: