Service and maintenance

This LAP examines:
• The differences in the roadworthiness inspection, service and maintenance (process and requirements) for hydrogen L category 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:

In general, the service and maintenance requirements and procedures for hydrogen vehicles are laid down in guidelines issued by the manufacturers.
The hydrogen vehicles as conventional vehicles with a design speed exceeding 25 km/h of categories M, N and O shall undergo periodic roadworthiness tests in order to ensure that vehicles on the road remain roadworthy and safe.

Currently, there are no legal requirements in place for roadworthiness testing of motorcycles, bikes and quadricycles at EU level.
From 1 January 2022, European Legislation (Directive 2014/45/EU) will require two-and three-wheel motorcycles, powered tricycles and heavy quadricycles, with an engine displacement of more than 125 cm3 to be roadworthiness tested. However, Member States may exclude these vehicles from testing if they have put in place alternative effective road safety measures, considering in particular road safety statistics of the last five years.
In a number of countries some types of the L category vehicles are included in the scope of periodic roadworthiness testing.

The service and technical inspections requirements and procedures do not present any important barriers for the market entry of hydrogen motorcycles and quadricycles. Nevertheless, the lack of specific regulations for maintenance, testing and technical control of hydrogen motorcycles and quadricycles may restrict their deployment and increase the maintenance costs. It may create an uncertainty for the users and negatively affect their choice to purchase hydrogen vehicles. The use of improper technics may cause vehicle damages or transport accidents.
Therefore, specific testing methods and requirements for the inspections areas, equipment and staff with focus on specific hydrogen components on board and related to the hydrogen L category vehicles safety on the road have to be developed.
Is it a barrier?
Yes
Type of Barrier
Operational barriers
Assessment Severity
1
Assessment
As far as the FCEV has not a huge penetration yet, the authorities do not have specific information about the maintenance of these vehicles. Problems can appear while the maintenance works are being done because a lack of specific procedures and rules can motivate the use of improper techniques, which damage the vehicle and can increase the cost of these technologies.

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 - motorcycles (and bikes)
a - Yes. Differences appear in the vessels and also in the power source. The most similar situation is the CNG. In Spain the Technical Inspection Guide has a specific point about this technology for class M vehicles, however the criterion is different as far as the pressure and the properties of the gas are different
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 - quadricycles If yes, please specify, e.g. what are the specific maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen vehicles?
b - Yes. Differences appear in the vessels and also in the power source. The most similar situation is the CNG. In Spain the Technical Inspection Guide has a specific point about this technology for class M vehicles, however the criterion is different as far as the pressure and the properties of the gas are different
Question 2 Which vehicles are subject to technical inspections (roadworthiness tests)?
All vehicles that are allowed to be driven in the Spanish roads.
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? a) technical i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles b) legislative / certification i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles
a) technical i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles – The motor vehicle repair shops for the maintenance of hydrogen–powered vehicles do not require a special permit by the authorities. They are the responsibility of the operator. The technical requirements they should follow, will be the ATEX regulation. Also the technicians should have been trained in risk assessment related with H2. – b) legislative / certification i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles – NA
Question 4 Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections? a - motorcycles (and bikes)
a - The technical services called Inspección Técnica Vehicular.
Question 4 Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections? b - quadricycles
b - The technical services called Inspección Técnica Vehicular.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
CNG vehicles

National legislation:

EU Legislation: