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
Structural barrier
Assessment Severity
1
Assessment
The lack of specific regulations fo technical inspections of some types 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. 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.
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 - The maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. The manufacturers are publishing guides with requirements and procedures for the safe maintenance of the specific hydrogen and fuel cell components and units on board.
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 - The maintenance needs and service requirements for hydrogen (fuel cell) vehicles are similar to those of conventional vehicles. The manufacturers are publishing guides with requirements and procedures for the safe maintenance of the specific hydrogen and fuel cell components and units on board.
Question 2
Which vehicles are subject to technical inspections (roadworthiness tests)?
The obligation to inspect is subject to all registered vehicles and trailers. (§29 of German Traffic Ordinance). The two-and three wheel vehicles and light quadricycles with a maximum design speed not more than 45km/h are exempted from the registration requirement and hence from roadworthiness tests.
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 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, Use of Work Equipment Directive 3. The staff
The employees who deal with gas systems must be trained and certified for work with gas system installations (e.g. by TÜV).
b) legislative / certification
i. motorcycles (and bikes) ii. quadricycles For service and maintenance companies - no spetial framework. The roadworthiness testing organisations have to be authorised by state.
Question 4
Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections?
a - motorcycles (and bikes)
a - State authorised testing organisation such as DEKRA, TÜV etc.
Question 4
Which are the responsible authorities/independent bodies to carry out technical inspections?
b - quadricycles
b - State authorised testing organisation such as DEKRA, TÜV etc.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Electric vehicles, gas vehicles
National legislation:
-
German Road Traffic Ordinance (Strassenverkehrs–Zulassungs–Ordnung, StVZO)
§29 Technical inspection of motor vehicles and trailers
Annex VIII Inspection of vehicles
Annex VIIIa Performing of main inspections -
Directive for performing main inspections and the assessment of the deficiencies in the vehicles detected according to §29 and Annexes VIII and VIIIa StVZO, issued by Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure
Contain detailed testing requirements and procedures.
-
BGI 5108 Hydrogen safety in motor vehicle repair shops – Instructions of professional association of tram, underground rail way and rail way
Contains safety requirements and provides some explanations and exemplary solutions for maintenance of hydrogen vehicles
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).