Restrictions & Incentives

This LAP investigates:
• The restrictions established for hydrogen L category vehicles using public and private parking places, tunnels and other facilities of the transport network,
• The financial and non-financial incentives provided for hydrogen L category 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:

Certain restrictions for hydrogen powered vehicles when using the public transport infrastructure may be imposed in relation to the hydrogen tank on board and their classification as dangerous goods according to ADR. The hydrogen powered L category vehicles have a hydrogen tank which is considerably smaller than that of cars. Due to the relatively low hydrogen quantity stored on board of hydrogen powered motorcycles and quadricycles no serious prohibitions and restrictions are expected when using the elements of the transport network.

Nevertheless, it is possible that the owners of underground parking facilities limit the access of motorcycles fuelled with compressed or liquefied gas. At present, there is no information available about the potential restrictions on transportation of hydrogen powered L category vehicles with train or ferry.

The efforts of the partner countries to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in the transport are focused on promotion of low (zero) emission cars and busses as they together with the trucks and international transport make up 95% of CO2 emissions in the transport sector. Therefore, in mostly all partner countries have not been put in place any support measures for investing in low emission motorcycles, bikes and quadricycles. The existing procurement rules do not apply to the clean L category vehicles. In several countries are provided tax and registration fee exemptions and reductions for low emission vehicles irrespective of their category. Local non-financial incentives such as access to specific lanes and reduced parking fee are available in a few countries.
Is it a barrier?
Yes
Type of Barrier
Economic barrier, Regulatory gap
Assessment Severity
3
Assessment
In general, there are no restrictions for hydrogen motorcycles and quadricycles by using the facilities of the transport infrastructure. There are no financial incentives for purchase or lease of hydrogen motorcycles, bikes and quadricycles. These vehicles are not exempted from purchase or road tax and from registration fee. The establishment of durable financial investments next to the well developed refuelling infrastructure is key for the market deployment of hydrogen motorcycles, bikes and quadricycles.

Questions:

Question 1 Is there any restriction for hydrogen vehicles? a) use of tunnels i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles b) parking places (e.g. underground) i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles c) ferry i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles d) trains (e.g. Eurotunnel) i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles e) others i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles
a) use of tunnels i. – no ii. – 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 ii. – see i c) ferry i. – There are not general restrictions on the transport of a hydrogen vehicles with a ferry. The ferry operator may ask to be informed in advance that a hydrogen fuelled vehicle will be on board. The ferry operator may impose a restriction on the number of hydrogen fuelled vehicles transported per ferry. ii. – There are not general restrictions on the transport of a hydrogen vehicles with a ferry. The ferry operator may ask to be informed in advance that a hydrogen fuelled vehicle will be on board. The ferry operator may impose a restriction on the number of hydrogen fuelled vehicles transported per ferry d) trains (e.g. Eurotunnel) i. – There are not general restrictions on the transport of a hydrogen vehicles with a train. The train operator may ask to be informed in advance that a hydrogen fuelled vehicle will be on board. The train operator may impose a restriction on the number of hydrogen fuelled vehicles transported per train ii. – There are not general restrictions on the transport of a hydrogen vehicles with a train. The train operator may ask to be informed in advance that a hydrogen fuelled vehicle will be on board. The train operator may impose a restriction on the number of hydrogen fuelled vehicles transported per train e) others i. – no ii. – no
Question 3 Are there any incentives for hydrogen vehicles? a) access to specific lanes (e.g. bus) i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles b) free/reduced fee parking i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles c) tax incentives i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles d) registration fee reduction i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London) i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles f) public procurement rules i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles g) others i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles
a) access to specific lanes (e.g. bus) i. – In Germany, the hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are recognised as electric vehicles. The local road authorities can reserve special parking spaces for electric vehicles at public places; – Park fees can be reduced or waived completely for electric cars; – Electric vehicles may be exempted from certain access; restrictions imposed, for example, for reasons of noise and exhaust emissions; –Electric vehicles can be driven on bus lanes. ii. – see i b) free/reduced fee parking i. – no ii. – no c) tax incentives i. – no ii. – no d) registration fee reduction i. – no ii. – no e) toll charges exemption (e.g. congestion charge in London) i. – no ii. – no f) public procurement rules i. – At least 20% of the federal government vehicle fleet should consist of electric vehicles till 2020. 100 Mil. EUR has been earmarked for this ii. – see i g) others i. – no ii. – no
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles

National legislation:

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.
  • Council Directive 1999/37/EC of 29 April 1999 on the registration documents for vehicles
    Council Directive 1999/37/EC of 29 April 1999 on the registration documents for vehicles The registration of vehicles in EU, irrespective on the power train or type of fuel is partly regulated by Council Directive 1999/37/EC on the registration documents of vehicles, amended with Directive 2003/127/EC. Both directives are transposed in partner countries and for registration documents applies mutual recognition. Vehicle registration requirements and procedures are subject to the national law.
  • 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