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
Assessment Severity
3
Assessment
UK is generally supportive of ULEVs (FCEVs and BEVs) as cars, vans and buses ; there are restrictions on some forms of movement due to safety concerns. Uncertainty over restrictions during vehicle introduction

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. – There are 9 tunnels in the UK which place restrictions on hazardous (explosive / flammable) products being transported as under ADR controls and the tunnel operator can prevent movement of hydrogen powered fuel cell electric vehicles, with compressed hydrogen tanks, but there are no restrictions on other tunnels, underpasses and bridges ii. – as for i. i iii. – as for i. iv. – as for i b) parking places (specifically underground; above ground and open deck parking is not considered an issue) i. – allowed for passenger FCEVs and small vans ii. – not currently allowed without clearance on ventilation levels and H2 LEL iii. – not currently allowed without clearance on ventilation levels and H2 LEL iv. – not currently allowed without clearance on ventilation levels and H2 LEL c) ferry i. – allowed for passenger FCEVs and small vans on open deck areas ii. – subject to ferry operator acceptance regarding ventilation, vehicle separation, or/and open deck parking stipulation TBD iii. – same as ii iv. – same as ii d) trains i. – NThere are no rail based operations for the transport of vehicles in the UK – so no data is currently available for this category ii. – n/a iii. – n/a iv. – n/a e) others i. – No data 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. – Licensed public taxis only (not private hire vehicles) – but this varies between city and traffic enforcement authorities ii. – yes for public service operations buses, not for private coaches iii. – n/a iv. – no b) free/reduced fee parking i. – varies widely around the UK between city and traffic enforcement authorities ii. – N/a iii. – N/a iv. – N/a c) tax incentives i. – yes – ULEV grant available for all classes of ultra low emission vehicles under the ‘plug–in grant scheme which provides a £5000 grant to new ULEV vehicles (payable either to the vehicle dealer or directly to a buyer) and if the purchase is made by a business then there is a 100% capital write down in year 1 available. Further, no fuel duty tax is payable for hydrogen. ii. buses are not currently covere under the grant but could be give the 100% capital write down allowance . d iii. – coaches not currently iv covered under the grant but could be give the 100% capital write down allowane c . – light duty vans <3.5gvw qualify for the grant and 100% capital write down for business buyers; trucks are not currently covered d) registration fee reduction i. – Yes ii. – NA iii. – NA iv. – no data e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London) i. – Yes – for London, the congestion charge is £10 per entry into the congestion charge zone. A FCEV (and other ZEVs) is exempt from this charge. Other UK cities are considering similar congestion charge / clean air zones but none have yet been implemented ii. – no data iii. – no data iv. – no data f) public procurement rules i. – yes – selective by local government authorities to ensure that ULEVs and ZEVs are treated on a fair basis – London has progressed further and specifically discriminates against diesel powered fleet vehicles ii. – yes – and in London has set a deadline of 2023 that all buses be zero emission capable iii. – no data iv. – no data g) others i. – no data ii. – no data iii. – no data iv. – no data
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric

National legislation:

  • Carriage of Dangerous Goods
    Tunnel category codes for 9 tunnels in Great Britain, and ADR instructions for vehicles considered to be operating wiht or carrying dangerous goods
  • ULEV Grant
    Government grant for ultra low emission vehicles (cars and vans)

EU Legislation: