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?
No
Type of Barrier
Economic barrier
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
Determines the prohibition and privalegies for using a FCE-vehicle

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. – No ii. – see i iii. – see i iv. – see i c) ferry i. – There are no general restrictions regarding the transport of a hydrogen vehicles on a ferry, but it should be noted that there is not enough practical experience with buses and trucks. The ferry operator may ask to be informed in advance if a hydrogen fuelled vehicle is going to be on board. The ferry operator may impose a restriction on the number of hydrogen fuelled vehicles transported on one ferry. As long as the vehicle is registrated in one of EU member state, the Ferry must taki it on board. ii. – see i iii. – not applicable iv. – see i d) trains i. – No applicable information ii. – see i iii. – not applicable iv. – see i 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. – –Uder Road traffic regulation, the hydrogen vehicle is determinated as 2.12. electric vehicle – vehicle which according to the construction thereof uses the energy from the electricity stored in the vehicle or driving force storage facility as the only mechanical driving force Local municipalities can set different privalegies to: – Park fees can be reduced or waived completely for electric cars; – Electric vehicles can use the bus lanes on traffic circumstances; ii. – see i iii. – see i iv. – see i b) free/reduced fee parking i. – There is no general regulation on exemption from/reduction of parking fees. The hydrogen vehicles may be exempted from paying of parking fee, or the fee may be reduced, at the discretion of the parking owner and Municipality. ii. – see i iii. – see i iv. – see i c) tax incentives i. – Exploatation (right to use the vehicle on public streets) tax is not applicable for zero emission passenger vehicle ii. – no iii. – no iv. – no d) registration fee reduction i. – The first registration is free of charge for FCE-vehicles (or Electric vehicles) In Latvia, for every vehicle it is an obligation to cover the "emission tax". Taking into account that the previousely mentioned vehicles are zero emission, this fee is 0. As result, the Overall fee of a vehicle registration is reduced significantly. ii. – The registration fee is not reduced for FCE-vehicles (or Electric vehicles) In Latvia, for every vehicle it is an obligation to cover the "emission tax". Taking into account that the previousely mentioned vehicles are zero emission, this fee is 0. As result, the Overall fee of a vehicle registration is reduced significantly. iii. – The registration fee is not reduced for FCE-vehicles (or Electric vehicles) In Latvia, for every vehicle it is an obligation to cover the "emission tax". Taking into account that the previousely mentioned vehicles are zero emission, this fee is 0. As result, the Overall fee of a vehicle registration is reduced significantly. iv. – The registration fee is not reduced for FCE-vehicles (or Electric vehicles) In Latvia, for every vehicle it is an obligation to cover the "emission tax". Taking into account that the previousely mentioned vehicles are zero emission, this fee is 0. As result, the Overall fee of a vehicle registration is reduced significantly. e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London). (There are no toll routes in Latvia (highways etc). For every cargo vehicle thats over 3,5 tons, it is necessary to obtain a vinjet. i. – no ii. – no iii. – no iv. – no f) public procurement rules i. – no ii. – noi iii. – no iv. – see i g) others i. – no ii. – no iii. – no iv. – no
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles

National legislation:

EU Legislation: