European Parliament Supports Hydrogen Cars

September 3, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

The EC's proposal provides type-approval of hydrogen-powered vehicles and amends Directive 2007/46/EC. The EP vote was based on a compromise reached with the EU member states, who are expected to adopt the proposal package soon.

The move marks a step forward in the development and marketing of clean and safe hydrogen vehicles in the EU. As a result, their use will likely increase, and the European automotive industry could become more competitive by taking the lead in hydrogen technology.

Uniform requirements for hydrogen vehicles are not now included in EU's vehicle type-approval system. This poses problems for hydrogen vehicle manufacturers when trying to place these vehicles on the market in the EU.

Currently, even if a vehicle obtains national or single type-approval in one member state, it is not guaranteed that the registration of this vehicle will be authorized in all the other member states. Furthermore, member states can establish different requirements for issuing an approval certificate.

This situation results in a fragmented internal market of hydrogen-powered vehicles, as well as complicated and costly approval procedures, which discourages the introduction of this environmentally friendly technology.

The proposed single approval will be sufficient for the entire EU. At the same time, the revised regulation will guarantee that all hydrogen vehicles put on the market in the EU are at least as safe as conventional vehicles.

An EC study on type-approval of hydrogen-powered motor vehicles shows that the simplified procedures could result in a saving of up to €124 million in approval costs to vehicle manufacturers in the period 2017-2025.

Günter Verheugen, EC vice president responsible for enterprise and industry, said, "The agreement in the European Parliament is a big step forward in the introduction of hydrogen vehicles. They have the potential to make Europe's air cleaner and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels."

"Setting common standards will ensure high safety for citizens and will boost the competitiveness of European manufacturers. Now the EU member states will have the final say, and I hope for their support."

Background
Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier. When used as fuel, either in combustion motors or in fuel-cell systems, it does not produce any carbon emissions (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons or particulates). Thus, using hydrogen will contribute to the improvement of air quality in cities.

Moreover, no greenhouse gases are produced from motor vehicles, although care will have to be taken that the production of hydrogen itself does not lead to an increase in CO2 emissions. This can be achieved by producing hydrogen from non-fossil energy sources or by CO2 sequestration.

For more information, see the Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of hydrogen powered motor vehicles and amending Directive 2007/46/EC.

Source: European Commission.