Service and maintenance

This LAP deals with:
• The differences in the roadworthiness inspection, service and maintenance (process and requirements) for hydrogen vehicles compared to conventional vehicles,
• The responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections,
• The requirements to operate a testing centre/service and maintenance company for hydrogen vehicles.

Glossary:

A motor vehicle service is a series of maintenance procedures carried out at a set time interval or after the vehicle has travelled a certain distance. The service intervals are specified by the vehicle manufacturer in a service schedule and some modern cars display the due date for the next service electronically on the instrument panel. Technical inspection (roadworthiness test) means an inspection designed to ensure that a vehicle is safe to be used on public roads and that it complies with required and mandatory safety and environmental characteristics.

Pan-European Assessment:

The hydrogen powered vehicles as the conventional vehicles are subject to periodic roadworthiness tests. Roadworthiness testing is a part of a wider regime ensuring that vehicles are kept in a safe and environmentally acceptable condition during their use. This regime should provide for periodic roadworthiness tests of vehicles and technical roadside inspection of commercial vehicles as well as a vehicle registration procedure allowing for the suspension of a vehicle’s authorisation to be used in road traffic where the vehicle constitutes an immediate risk to road safety.

The specific service and maintenance requirements and procedures for hydrogen powered vehicles are defined in guidelines, published by the manufacturers. In addition, at national level are issued a limited number of instructions concerning this matter.
The maintenance know-how and expertise will be developed and deployed with the growing number of vehicles and therefore no serious hurdles for service, maintenance and inspections of hydrogen powered vehicles could be identified. However, the lack of clear rules for service and inspection at present is seen as an operational barrier and regulatory gap, which might result in damages to vehicles or work accidents due to the use of inappropriate techniques.

The development of unified rules and procedures for service and inspection of the specific components of hydrogen powered vehicles such as high pressure hydrogen storage, fuel cell stacks and high voltage components by FCEV, hydrogen gas leak detection system are fundamental for the safety performance of hydrogen powered vehicles and could help to achieve a large degree of harmonisation of practice. Skilled service and testing staff and appropriate equipped inspection and maintenance facilities could increase the safety at the workplace and avoid workers' exposure to higher risks.
Is it a barrier?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
The development of unified rules and procedures for maintenance and inspection of the specific components of hydrogen vehicles such as high pressure hydrogen storage, fuel cell stacks and high voltage components by FCEV, hydrogen gas leak detection system and also for training, qualification and certification of the working staff are crucial for the safety performance of hydrogen vehicles.

Questions:

Question 1 Is there a difference in the service and maintenance inspection (process and requirement) for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? a - cars (incl. taxis)
a - Maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. Manufacturers are designing these vehicles and publishing maintenance guides with specific safety requirements and procedures for work with high pressure gases, high voltage electricity systems, precautionary measures for eliminating or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace.
Question 1 Is there a difference in the service and maintenance inspection (process and requirement) for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? b - buses
b - Maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. Manufacturers are designing these vehicles and publishing maintenance guides with specific safety requirements and procedures for work with high pressure gases, high voltage electricity systems, precautionary measures for eliminating or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace.
Question 1 Is there a difference in the service and maintenance inspection (process and requirement) for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? c - trolleybuses
c - Maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. Manufacturers are designing these vehicles and publishing maintenance guides with specific safety requirements and procedures for work with high pressure gases, high voltage electricity systems, precautionary measures for eliminating or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace.
Question 1 Is there a difference in the service and maintenance inspection (process and requirement) for a hydrogen vehicle compared to a conventional vehicle? d - trucks If yes, please specify, e.g. what are the specific maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen vehicles?
d - Maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. Manufacturers are designing these vehicles and publishing maintenance guides with specific safety requirements and procedures for work with high pressure gases, high voltage electricity systems, precautionary measures for eliminating or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace.
Question 2 Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections? a - cars (incl. taxis)
a - State authorised testing organisation such as DEKRA, TÜV etc.
Question 2 Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections? b - buses
b - State authorised testing organisation such as DEKRA, TÜV etc.
Question 2 Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections? c - trolleybuses
c - State authorised testing organisation such as DEKRA, TÜV etc.
Question 2 Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections? d - trucks
d - State authorised testing organisation such as DEKRA, TÜV etc.
Question 3 Is there a framework and if yes, what are the requirements to operate a testing, inspection and certification (service and maintenance) company for hydrogen vehicles? Are they different from a conventional vehicle? a) technical i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks b) legislative / certification i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks
a) technical i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks The motor vehicle repair shops for the maintenance of hydrogen–powered vehicles do not require a special permit by the authorities. They are in a duty of care of the operator. For the motor vehicle repair shops apply the general safety requirements for: 1. The work places a) Risk assessment pursuant to the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health; b) General requirements of the Occupational Safety Act and the Ordinance on Workplaces 2. The work equipment : Due to specific characteristic of FCEVs the maintenance equipment shall comply with the following Directives: ATEX(equipment and workplace), PED(Pressure Equipment Directive), EMC( Electromagnetic compatibility) Directive, SEVESO ( large amount of hazardous materials), Use of Work Equipment Directive 3. The staff is advisable to be trained in accordance with the Professional Association Information BGI 5108 Hydrogen safety in motor vehicle repair shops; The employees who deal with gas systems must be trained and certified for work with gas system installations (e.g. by TÜV). and on high voltage electricity systems b) legislative / certification i. cars (incl. taxis) ii. buses iii. trolleybuses iv. trucks For service and maintenance companies - no special framework. The roadworthiness testing organisations have to be authorised by the state.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles, gas vehicles

National legislation:

EU Legislation: