Get started with TÜV SÜD
Start your hydrogen mobility services journey with us today.
What are hydrogen mobility services?
Hydrogen mobility services are emerging as a key player in the transformation of the automotive and mobility sectors. This is being driven by technological advances and the collective need to reduce global emissions.
As a clean and renewable energy source, hydrogen can power vehicles without adverse environmental impacts, making it an essential component in the quest for sustainable transport solutions. However, these new hydrogen mobility services must be safe and comply with existing and new regulations, depending on the type of solution and vehicle. This includes privately owned vehicles, public transport, and commercially operated vehicles. Ensuring that hydrogen vehicles meet these standards is critical to their successful market integration.
TÜV SÜD’s rigorous testing and certification services help you overcome existing safety challenges. We help you ensure that your components and systems comply with the relevant safety standards so that new hydrogen mobility services can be safely brought to the road.
How the EU Green Deal promotes hydrogen mobility as a key factor in shaping sustainable transport solutions
Increasingly stringent emissions reduction rules are being introduced around the world. This includes the EU's European Green Deal. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. At least 30 million zero-emission cars and 80,000 zero-emission lorries are expected to be on the road by 2030.
Part of the EU's 'Fit for 55' package introduces EU-wide emission reduction targets for cars and vans, which account for around 15% of the EU's total CO2 emissions. This includes a 100% reduction target for new cars and vans by 2035.
More than 50% of freight in the EU is transported by road, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Freight accounts for over 30% of CO2 transport emissions. Freight transport is expected to grow by around 25% by 2030 and by 50% by 2050. As the EU economy grows, emissions are likely to increase unless decarbonisation measures are taken.
The European Commission recognises that its goal of being the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 requires ambitious transport changes. Its overall aim is to achieve a 90% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This should include almost all cars, vans, buses and new heavy-duty vehicles.
These targets will have a major impact on future economic strategies in the automotive sector. In addition to battery electric vehicles, market trends indicate that other green mobility solutions such as hydrogen-powered and fuel cell vehicles will play a central role in an emission-free future. Enthusiasm for fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE), or hydrogen as a component of synthetic fuels promises sustainable transport solutions. Hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in helping trucks, buses, and trains meet climate goals for heavy-duty transport.
Why hydrogen mobility services are important
As a manufacturer, supplier or system integrator, you must ensure that your hydrogen mobility products are brought to market safely. Compliance with existing regulations plays an important role. To gain access to global markets, regulatory compliance is required to obtain legal approval. In many cases, both government regulations and customer requirements have become more stringent.
In addition, due to the EU Green Deal and other national targets, reducing carbon emissions along the entire automotive value chain is a shared goal we are all aiming towards. And the challenge is growing with the increasing number of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles on the road and stricter regulations for zero emission vehicles.
Meeting the applicable safety requirements and regulations is key to gaining customer trust in new sustainable transport solutions. Only then will your hydrogen vehicles become a success, and you can make a positive contribution to climate change by developing green mobility solutions.
How TÜV SÜD can help you with hydrogen mobility services
TÜV SÜD has been providing mobility, safety, and sustainability solutions for over 150 years. Our pool of interdisciplinary experts uses this experience and knowledge to solve your mobility needs. Thanks to our global presence and partnerships, we can support you locally.
Our complete hydrogen mobility services cover your needs across the entire value chain.
- We support you with the development of safe and reliable hydrogen mobility services.
- We help you with testing and certifying your fuel cell systems, and high-pressure hydrogen storage systems and components.
- We ensure that your hydrogen technology, products, and components comply with the latest regulations and standards, making them ready for global market access.
- We can support you locally, thanks to our global presence and partnerships.
- We use our electric drive trains expertise to guide you in the development of fuel cell electric and hydrogen vehicles, and help you bring them to market.
What our hydrogen mobility services include
TÜV SÜD’s comprehensive testing and certification services support manufacturers, suppliers, system integrators, and operators along the entire green mobility solutions life cycle.
Our service portfolio includes:
Guided assessment and evaluation of safety concepts
- Potential analysis (SWOT / GAP)
- Concept study / technical feasibility study
- Verification review
- HAZOP and risk assessments
- Confirmation review (e.g. HARA / risk analysis)
- Functional safety audit (organisation)
- Functional safety assessment
Testing of hydrogen and fuel cell components and systems
- Suitability and safety of components and systems including tanks, valves, sensors, pressure regulators, fuel cells and storage systems
- Hydrogen compatibility tests on metallic and non-metallic materials
- Hydrogen system tests and hydrogen fuel cell tests
- Tests of hydrogen storage systems
Certification of hydrogen and fuel cell components and systems
- Management system certification
- Product certification (CE / GS)
- Product certification according to national and international standards / TÜV SÜD Mark
- Refuelling protocols
Vehicle approval according to national and international regulations
- Type approval
- Individual approval
- Prototype or test vehicle approval
- Witness testing of hydrogen and fuel cell components and systems
- Preparation of expert reports
- Initial assessment
- Conformity of Production (CoP), In-Service Conformity (ISC) and market surveillance services
- Global market access and communication with international authorities
- RCS (Regulation, Codes & Standards) know-how and state of the art assessment
- Approval reports for authorities
Hydrogen training – safe handling
- DGUV qualifications to prove skills and expertise for safe hydrogen handling
- Training for fuel cells and hydrogen sensitization
- High voltage training
- Further personal certifications
Periodical technical inspection (PTI) services
- Tank inspection (GAP / GSP / GWP)
- Main inspection
- Value appraisals
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can hydrogen car fuel ever be made safe?
Hydrogen as a vehicle fuel can be made safe through careful engineering, robust safety protocols, and adherence to industry standards.
Safety and efficiency across the hydrogen value chain are essential, especially in mobility and transport. Expertise ensures safety, reduces costs, and meets regulations.
In mobility and transport, tank and component safety is crucial. Tanks and armatures must withstand impacts and minimize rupture risk, with sensors and shut-off valves controlling hydrogen flow to prevent accidents. In leaks, integrated venting systems safely release hydrogen.
Developing and implementing global industry standards and regulations for hydrogen fuel cell technologies is essential to ensure the safe use of hydrogen in vehicles. Equally important is the need for comprehensive training programmes. To ensure its responsible use, emergency responders, mechanics, and drivers must be educated on hydrogen’s unique safety considerations.
While recognising that no energy source is completely risk-free, ongoing research, development and a steadfast commitment to safety standards can make hydrogen fuel a safe choice for the future of sustainable transport solutions.
Safety and efficiency across the hydrogen value chain are essential, especially in mobility and transport. Expertise ensures safety, reduces costs, and meets regulations.
In mobility and transport, tank and component safety is crucial. Tanks and armatures must withstand impacts and minimize rupture risk, with sensors and shut-off valves controlling hydrogen flow to prevent accidents. In leaks, integrated venting systems safely release hydrogen.
Developing and implementing global industry standards and regulations for hydrogen fuel cell technologies is essential to ensure the safe use of hydrogen in vehicles. Equally important is the need for comprehensive training programmes. To ensure its responsible use, emergency responders, mechanics, and drivers must be educated on hydrogen’s unique safety considerations.
While recognising that no energy source is completely risk-free, ongoing research, development and a steadfast commitment to safety standards can make hydrogen fuel a safe choice for the future of sustainable transport solutions.
How safe are hydrogen cars compared to electric vehicles?
Hydrogen cars and electric cars are designed with safety as a top priority, and each technology has its own set of safety considerations. Both are rigorously tested to meet safety standards, based on specific design, engineering, and safety features implemented by manufacturers.
Standards ensure the safety of vehicles, components, and users, and promote the widespread adoption of these technologies. Standards must cover the entire value chain, from storage and transport to charging infrastructure and use in vehicle applications.
As technologies evolve, ongoing research and the development of safety standards will be essential to the growth and integration of these vehicles into the global sustainable transport solutions landscape.
In conclusion, both hydrogen and electric vehicles offer safe transport options. However, their safety depends on effectively implementing safety features, compliance with regulations, and alignment with industry standards. Ongoing development and refinement of safety protocols are essential for the continued improvement of safety standards and the successful adoption of these technologies.
Standards ensure the safety of vehicles, components, and users, and promote the widespread adoption of these technologies. Standards must cover the entire value chain, from storage and transport to charging infrastructure and use in vehicle applications.
As technologies evolve, ongoing research and the development of safety standards will be essential to the growth and integration of these vehicles into the global sustainable transport solutions landscape.
In conclusion, both hydrogen and electric vehicles offer safe transport options. However, their safety depends on effectively implementing safety features, compliance with regulations, and alignment with industry standards. Ongoing development and refinement of safety protocols are essential for the continued improvement of safety standards and the successful adoption of these technologies.
Are hydrogen cars going to have a future?
Government policies and climate targets are driving companies to invest in and develop zero-emission powertrains. The potential for hydrogen in the commercial and agricultural sectors is huge.
For road logistics, it will be important to reduce the price of hydrogen at the point of use. Building hydrogen refuelling stations that serve captive fleets in hub-and-spoke operations should encourage high utilisation of refuelling stations and kick-start infrastructure development. Smaller commercial vehicles, such as hydrogen-powered forklifts, are a good option in areas where hydrogen is available on site, for example, in logistics and steel production plants.
TÜV SÜD is committed to supporting organisations that are actively working on frameworks, research, standards, and the development of hydrogen solutions worldwide. The coexistence of different clean energy solutions will contribute to a more diversified and sustainable transport solutions landscape. Ongoing advancements, research and global initiatives will play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of hydrogen vehicles in the coming years by addressing the current challenges.
For road logistics, it will be important to reduce the price of hydrogen at the point of use. Building hydrogen refuelling stations that serve captive fleets in hub-and-spoke operations should encourage high utilisation of refuelling stations and kick-start infrastructure development. Smaller commercial vehicles, such as hydrogen-powered forklifts, are a good option in areas where hydrogen is available on site, for example, in logistics and steel production plants.
TÜV SÜD is committed to supporting organisations that are actively working on frameworks, research, standards, and the development of hydrogen solutions worldwide. The coexistence of different clean energy solutions will contribute to a more diversified and sustainable transport solutions landscape. Ongoing advancements, research and global initiatives will play a crucial role in determining the trajectory of hydrogen vehicles in the coming years by addressing the current challenges.
What are the main safety concerns for hydrogen mobility?
As hydrogen is highly flammable, safety concerns include its storage, handling, and transport. Ensuring the integrity of hydrogen storage tanks, leak detection systems, and robust safety protocols is therefore critical. TÜV SÜD provides rigorous testing and certification services so that hydrogen-related components and systems meet stringent safety standards. With our support, you can minimise risk and increase public confidence in your hydrogen mobility technologies.
