At present many research projects as well as national and international initiatives examine scenarios for the build-up of a hydrogen infrastructure for road transport. In this context the development of regulations, codes and standards (RCS) for hydrogen technologies is a major issue, related not only to technical regulations aiming at safety concerns but also related to the removal of international trade barriers. This approach, however, is not sufficient for the implementation of a hydrogen supply infrastructure. Motor vehicles are complex products und require a complex infrastructure: this includes a multitude of planning and approval procedures but also regulations on socio-economic aspects. The legal conditions for the introduction of hydrogen as a new vehicle fuel can only be described if the analysis is including non-hydrogen specific legislation, too. Part of this study is a systematic screening of all rules along the total hydrogen process chain inside the European Union and Germany, divided in the five sections of (i) production, (ii) distribution, (iii) filling stations, (iv) manufacturing and (v) operation of hydrogen vehicles. This study identifies regulations which are promoting the future usage of hydrogen as a fuel and those which are a potential barrier. Starting Point are the regulations which are classifying the physico-chemical properties. In this context all regulations governing the usage of hydrogen are closely connected. Fiscal regulations are particular interesting due to their influence on consumer prices. Special emphasis is given to the question of the legal treatment of the competing fuels. Hence a benchmark for hydrogen is derived that should be fulfilled at least at the stage of market entry. This study illustrates that the build-up of a hydrogen infrastructure is not jeopardised by legal constraints. European legislation is setting the frame to a large extent, advanced harmonisation is strongly welcomed in the following three key areas: 1. The definition of a hydrogen generation in 'industrial scale'; hydrogen needs to be treated in a similar manner than conventional fuels like gasoline or diesel. 2. An EU wide valid vehicle type approval for hydrogen powered cars can only be implemented by the EU; a common European position will also be a driver to finally reach the ultimate goal of global technical regulations. 3. The issues of harmonised taxation and appropriate tax exemptions during the market introduction phase of hydrogen need a European answer, like already given for today commercial available conventional and alternative fuels such as biofuels.
Legal framework for the introduction of hydrogen in Europe
Gesetzlicher Rahmen für die Wasserstoffeinführung in Europa
2006
10 Seiten, 2 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 18 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Datenträger
Englisch
Legal Framework for the Introduction of Hydrogen in Europe
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