In general,
the Partners of the EIHP regard the project as being unique
in its approach and achievements in the hydrogen field and as
being very successful. The EIHP can only be regarded as a first
step in a longer process as there is still a lot of work to
be accomplished in order to promote the safe introduction of
the hydrogen vehicle and the creation of a hydrogen energy supply
chain.
The two
draft regulations for the approval of hydrogen fuelled road
vehicles are now finalised. During the application process for
an ECE regulation within WP29, the analysis of legislation in
other countries could become necessary in order to consolidate
the draft. Based on the time needed for the discussion of the
CNG draft within ECE, at least 3 years of discussions is expected.
The European Commission should promote projects that agree to
use these drafts as construction codes and promote these drafts
together with national administrationsThe progress of the drafts
should also be complemented with further technical development
of LH2 systems, including the design of safety valves and the
design of a boil-off management system.
Further
work is needed to identify the requirements regarding regular
inspection of LH2 and CGH2 vehicles. Final acceptance of the
ECE regulation into EU-law and into national law of the member
states has to be undertaken.
In order
to develop the draft regulations into global regulations the
support by the signatory states of ECE WP29 is needed.
The relevant
industrial companies must continue to support this important
goal.
As the
present EIHP covered hydrogen infrastructure related components
on a very limited scale, such a work shall also be undertaken
for refuelling infrastructure issues. First for refuelling stations
(design rules and integration into urban environments), then
for parking garages, tunnels, maintenance shops, and finally
for on-site hydrogen production plants.
As most
of the industrial organisations in the automotive and fuel supply
business are international or multinational undertakings a harmonisation
of standards, codes of practice and regulations on international
level is indispensable. Harmonised regulations and approval
procedures will drastically reduce the efforts (e.g. time, cost)
for industry in bringing their products to the market. On the
other hand, all citizens will benefit from more standardised
products as they will be safer, more cost competitive, and easier
to use.
The process
started by the EIHP has to be pursued with increased efforts
in order to maintain and improve the position of European industry
in the competitive global economic environment, as the automotive
industry is presently aiming for the commercialisation of minimum
emission vehicles over the next decade. Automotive and fuel
supply industries face the difficult situation of
- a dramatically
increasing demand in mobility (almost 1 billion new motorist
in Asia and Latin America by 2040),
- the
need to reduce CO2 emissions by 25% before 2010 and for the
industrial countries by 80% by 2050 in order to achieve an
overall CO2 reduction of in average 50% by 2050, the only
way to stabilise ever growing human induced climate change
effects
- peaking
world petroleum production in the present decade and the initiation
of an irreversible downward trend in oil production and thus
increasing crude oil prices
The introduction
of hydrogen and fuel cells to the transport sector seems to
represent the most promising chance for a sustainable restructuring
of the transport and fuel economy. Europe should make maximum
use of its human and technological resources. The route to harmonised
legislation which EIHP started deserves further coordinated
support, morally and financially, from the involved stakeholders,
i.e. industry, SMEs, regulatory authorities and governments.
<back
|