Commission launches public consultation on hydrogen powered motor vehicles
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the future technological development and manufacturing of hydrogen powered motor vehicles. The results of the consultation will inform the Commission's forthcoming regulation on requirements for the safe operation of these hydrogen storage systems in vehicles. Hydrogen is not a pre-existing source of energy like fossil fuels, but a carrier, much like a battery. There are several methods of storing hydrogen for transport applications, the most commonly-used being gaseous storage in gas cylinders, similar to those used for the storage of any pressurised gas. These are also known as hydrogen fuel cells, and are seen as viable alternatives to diesel- and petrol-fuelled engines as they do not produce any carbon emissions. Major car manufacturers are investing heavily in developing hydrogen propulsion technologies with the aim of commercialising these vehicles. But before such vehicles can be launched on the market, more consideration has to be given to a number of issues, including how to ensure that the production of hydrogen, which requires a large amount of energy, does not create more pollution and offset its low carbon emissions. Much research is underway on how the substantial amounts of electricity required for water electrolysis can be generated from low pollution sources such as solar energy or wind. Hydrogen is also a highly flammable substance. When mixed with oxygen across a wide range of proportions, hydrogen explodes upon ignition. Given such safety and environmental risks, the Commission's draft proposal lays down requirements for the manufacturing of hydrogen powered vehicles with respect to hydrogen components and hydrogen systems. It also includes requirements for the installation of hydrogen components or systems in hydrogen powered vehicles. In its consultation the Commission will invite stakeholders to provide feedback on safety and environmental issues with a view to incorporating it into a European framework on hydrogen storage system of vehicles. In particular, they will be asked to comment on whether the preliminary draft proposal would impose any undue burden on manufacturers or suppliers compared to the benefits in terms of safe operation of the vehicle. 'Legislation is not intended as a barrier to innovation and development but as a means of facilitating the introduction of technologically advanced vehicles. Here vehicle type-approval plays a substantial role, especially in the safety and environmental fields. The appropriate adaptation of the existing legislation will aid the approval and placing on the market of vehicles using hydrogen and will contribute to the confidence in the new technology for potential users and the public at large,' reads the draft proposal. //CPA For more information, please click here