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?
No
Assessment Severity
0
Assessment
No specific impact as long as vehicles are few, as there are no specific regulations for compulsory maintenance. Issues may arise to find sufficient recognized garages when these will be put 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 - Maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. Additional regulations apply for compressed gaseous fuel storage, so most similarity with LPG and NG fuelled vehicles.
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 - idem
Maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. Additional regulations apply for compressed gaseous fuel storage, so most similarity with LPG and NG fuelled vehicles.
Question 2
Which vehicles are subject to technical inspections (roadworthiness tests)?
The obligation to inspect is subject to all registered vehicles and trailers. (Codice della Strada Art. 80)
Motor vehicles with a maximum design speed of over 25 km/h should be registered (Codice della Strada Art. 93 and 100)
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 – No specific framework for H2–fuelled vehicles. By approximation those for battery–electric, LPG and NG vehicles will apply
b) legislative / certification
i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles – Certification of performance of all vehicles shall be carried out by offices of the Motorizzazione Civile (dedicated Agency for the Ministry of Transport) or the Centro Prova Autoveicoli or through bodies compliant with UNI CEI EN ISO 17020:2012la, and approved by Motorizzazione Civile i
i
There is no specific legal framework for companies providing service and maintenance for hydrogen vehicles, the regulation is the same as for other type of vehicles.
Question 4
Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections?
a - motorcycles (and bikes)
a - offices of the Motorizzazione Civile (dedicated Agency for the Ministry of Transport) or the Centro Prova Autoveicoli or through bodies compliant with UNI CEI EN ISO 17020:2012la, and approved by Motorizzazione Civile.
Question 4
Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections?
b - quadricycles
b - offices of the Motorizzazione Civile (dedicated Agency for the Ministry of Transport) or the Centro Prova Autoveicoli or through bodies compliant with UNI CEI EN ISO 17020:2012la, and approved by Motorizzazione Civile.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles, gas vehicles
National legislation:
-
Codice della Strada (Traffic regulation)), Highway Code approved by Legislative Decree n. 285 of 30 April 1992 and subsequent modifications.
Traffic regulation
Italian Highway Code approved by Legislative Decree n. 285 of 30 April 1992 and subsequent modifications, foresees in art.80 technical maintenance and periodical certification.
It is accompanied by an Implementation Regulation with 408 articles and 19 appendices. The Highway Code came into force on 1 January 1993. -
Codice della Strada Art. 80: technical maintenance and periodical certification
Highway Code approved by Legislative Decree n. 285 of 30 April 1992 and subsequent modifications.
Italian Highway Code approved by Legislative Decree n. 285 of 30 April 1992 and subsequent modifications, foresees in art.80 technical maintenance and periodical certification.
It is accompanied by an Implementation Regulation with 408 articles and 19 appendices. The Highway Code came into force on 1 January 1993.
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).