Proposal for a new UN Rule [No. 3] on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system

39. The expert from Germany introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSG/2017/17 to improve the specifications for the installation and inspection of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders or of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and their accessories. GRSG welcomed the proposal and noted that WP.29 and the Administrative Committee of the 1997 Agreement were expected to consider and adopt ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 on a new UN Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using CNG and/or LNG in their propulsion system. The proposal from Germany received a number of comments, especially on the need to align the recommendations for the periodical technical inspections of such vehicles with the specifications for the re-qualification of the CNG cylinders or LNG tanks. GRSG noted the comments received by the experts from NGV Global (GRSG-113-03) and OICA (GRSG-113-20).

83. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, updated the World Forum on the work of the group (WP.29-173-06). He reported to the World Forum on the eighth meeting of the IWG on PTI that was held on 24 October 2017 in Brussels. He explained that the IWG on PTI decided to propose amendments to ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 under agenda item 7.4 as reproduced in WP.29-173-12. He recalled the proposal made by the representative of Finland and Sweden at the 172nd session of WP.29, that were similar to the earlier proposals presented by the Russian Federation (WP29-147-11 and WP29-165-07) aimed at including PTI relevant provisions in UN Regulations. He mentioned that the group had considerations related to the 1958 Agreement and the new concept “Whole Life Vehicle Compliance” was suggested. He reported on the considerations of the group as a follow-up on the presentation made by the representative of Switzerland on the tampering truck emissions tampering at the June 2017 session of WP.29 and possible benefits of PTI in this context.

87. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system, that would be annexed to the 1997 Agreement. He also introduced informal document WP.29-173-12 amending the proposal by adding vehicles using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Some Contracting Parties indicated that they were still in the process of evaluating the proposal.

89. WP.29 recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting, noting that some European Contracting Parties would support, in principle, the proposals but felt not in the position to adopt these proposals due to possible inconsistencies with European Directives on PTI on these matters (not specifically addressing additional test items for gas fuelled vehicles and hybrid vehicles).

158. No further supplementary information was provided beyond agenda item 7.4. (see paras. 81-83 above).

118. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system, that would be to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement. He also introduced informal document WP.29-173-12 amending the proposal by inserting in the document “vehicles using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)”. The secretariat agreed to prepare a consolidated version including the content of the informal document above.

119. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections, regarding minimum safety inspection requirements for hybrid and electric motor vehicles, to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement.

120. WP.29 recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting.

102. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 and of the informal document WP.29-173-12, which proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system, that would be annexed to the 1997 Agreement. These two documents had been consolidated in document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/70.

103. The Chair of WP.29 also recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, co-chair of the IWG, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on PTI on minimum safety inspection requirements for hybrid and electric motor vehicles, to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement.

104. He recalled that WP.29 has recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting.

88. The representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, presented ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections, regarding minimum safety inspection requirements for hybrid and electric motor vehicles, to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement. Some Contracting Parties indicated that they were still in the process of evaluation of the proposal.

89. WP.29 recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting, noting that some European Contracting Parties would support, in principle, the proposals but felt not in the position to adopt these proposals due to possible inconsistencies with European Directives on PTI on these matters (not specifically addressing additional test items for gas fuelled vehicles and hybrid vehicles).

158. No further supplementary information was provided beyond agenda item 7.4. (see paras. 81-83 above).

118. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system, that would be to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement. He also introduced informal document WP.29-173-12 amending the proposal by inserting in the document “vehicles using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)”. The secretariat agreed to prepare a consolidated version including the content of the informal document above.

119. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections, regarding minimum safety inspection requirements for hybrid and electric motor vehicles, to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement.

120. WP.29 recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting.

102. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/134 and of the informal document WP.29-173-12, which proposes the establishment of a new Rule on Periodical Technical Inspections of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system, that would be annexed to the 1997 Agreement. These two documents had been consolidated in document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/70.

103. The Chair of WP.29 also recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, co-chair of the IWG, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135 that proposes the establishment of a new Rule on PTI on minimum safety inspection requirements for hybrid and electric motor vehicles, to be annexed to the 1997 Agreement.

104. He recalled that WP.29 has recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting.

178. No further supplementary information was provided beyond agenda item 7.4. (see paras. 102 – 104 above)

129. The Chair of WP.29 recalled the presentation at the 173rd WP.29 session by the representative of the Russian Federation, Co-Chair of the IWG on PTI, of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135 and ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2018/70 that propose the establishment of a new Rule on PTI of motor vehicles with electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems and a new Rule on PTI of motor vehicles using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and/or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in their propulsion system that would be annexed to the 1997 Agreement.

130. He recalled that WP.29 had recommended the submission of the two proposals to AC.4 for voting.

221. The representative of Hungary stated that his country was not in the position to vote on UN Rules [3 and 4] due to procedural reasons. He voiced his country’s support for the work of AC.4 and expressed the expectation that Hungary would adopt these rules once domestic procedural conditions would allow.

219. Submitted for consideration and vote, the proposed UN Rule No. [4] (ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2017/135) was adopted on 14 November 2018 by consensus vote of the following contracting parties present and voting: Bulgaria, Finland, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Russian Federation and San Marino. Hungary and Romania abstained from voting.

220. The representative of Romania stated that his country was not in the position to vote on UN Rules [3 and 4] due to procedural reasons. He voiced his country’s support for the work of AC.4 and expressed the expectation that Romania would adopt these rules once domestic procedural conditions would allow. He also said that it is difficult to implement at national level new UN Rules having supplementary requirements compared to the European Union PTI legislation in force.