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;
• 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.
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
The system for repair and maintenance of a hydrogen vehicle still needs to be organized. This is a requirement to implement before the hydrogen vehicles will be more on the road. Busses are inspected by the Governmental authority and not by individual service companies. Busses is an exception to the rule This may come into play for trains/ships etc if they are used for public transportation.The system needs to come in place.
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 - A component is being developed for an certain time of use (filling cycles of all life time) after which it should be replaced. It has to be described in a manual how the service should be applied and which components need what periodical inspection. These requirements are stated in Directive 79 (Hydrogen components > 30 bar), also vehicle is described. The manufacturer (OEM) is responsible for the manual. If there is a second party concerned who makes the final input to the vehicle, this might be a part that could be missing in the manual. Also directive 406 is applicable for the more detailed aspects (implementation measurements). The requirements are for the maintenance / service companies.
In the Netherlands, however, motorcycles are exempted from the General Periodic Inspection regulation that applies to other vehicles. The reason is that the government estimates that the vulnerability of the motorcyclist is thus high that she / he keeps the motorcycle properly maintained for the sake of his / her own safety. As a result, there seems to be little profit with a periodic inspection (costs / benefits). This also applies for the still rare motorcycle that works on hydrogen / fuel cell.
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 - A component is being developed for an certain time of use (filling cycles of all life time) after which it should be replaced. It has to be described in a manual how the service should be applied and which components need which periodical inspection. These requirements are stated in Directive 79 (Hydrogen components > 30 bar), also vehicle is described. The manufacturer (OEM) is responsible for the manual. If there is a second party concerned who makes the final input to the vehicle, this might be a part that could be missing in the manual. Also directive 406 is applicable for the more detailed aspects (implementation measurements). The requirements are for the maintenance / service companies.
Question 2
Which vehicles are subject to technical inspections (roadworthiness tests)?
The framework is the same as for convetional vehicles. A company needs to be accredited by RDW.
a) technical
i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles – A company still needs to be accredited by RDW.
b) legislative / certification
i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles - This accredited company might become accredited for vehicles with the exemption for busses. This will be the responsibility of the governmental authority.
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
The framework is the same as for convetional vehicles. A company needs to be accredited by RDW.
Question 4
Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections?
a - motorcycles (and bikes)
a) technical
i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles – A company still needs to be accredited by RDW. b) legislative / certification
i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles - This accredited company might become accredited for vehicles with the exception for busses. This will be the responsibility of the governmental authority.
Question 4
Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections?
b - quadricycles
b - National governmental body (Netherlands RDW) is responsible for appointing accrediting companies for the inspection. The RDW (Road Traffic Department) is an independent governing body of the Dutch government. Testing, inspection and certification for the purpose of service and maintenance is done by RDW recognised companies. This system (accreditation system and not a governmental inspection) is rather unique in Europe. Depending on the difficulty of the inspections this could be performed by a service company (in the Netherlands APK (Algemene periodieke keuring – General periodic inspection) accredited companies).
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
LNG/CNG
National legislation:
-
Wegenverkeerswet 1994 (Road Traffic Act)
The Road Traffic Act 1994 (Wvw) forms the basis for all traffic regulations. The starting point here is the smoothness and flow of traffic, and that no one should cause hindrance or danger on the road
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Regeling voertuigen (Vehicle regulations) Regulations implementing chapters III and VI of the 1994 Road Traffic Act (
Regeling voertuigen
In the vehicles regulation the requirements are set for the various vehicles.
- Arrangement for implementation of Chapters III and VI of the 1994 Road Traffic Act (Vehicle Regulations).
EU Legislation:
-
Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on periodic roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers and repealing Directive 2009/40/EC Text with EEA relevance (with effect from 20 May 2018)
This Directive establishes minimum requirements for a regime of periodic roadworthiness tests of vehicles used on public roads. This applies to vehicles with a design speed exceeding 25 km/h of the following categories: M1, M2 and M3 (passenger motor vehicles, N1, N2 and N3 (motor vehicles for the carriage of goods, O3 and O4 (trailers over 3,5 tonnes) L (two or three wheels over 125cm3).