30. The representative from OICA introduced GRPE-85-28 and GRPE-85-41 on the addition of hydrogen (H2) as a fuel for internal combustion engines in UN Regulation No. 49. The representative from Germany sought clarifications on how Ugas factors were calculated in the case of H2. The representative from the EC added that the activity was held in common between OICA and the EC, also aiming at capturing potential decarbonization benefits to be included in the European VECTO tool. The representative from the EC, from the Joint Research Center (JRC), added that a validation exercise with OEMs was on-going, and close collaboration with OEMs was needed as the technology was not available on the market at the present time. He added final results were expected by the end of 2022. The representative from the Netherlands was supportive of the intention of the proposal and asked for some editorials corrections to be included (for example on the need to separate gaseous from liquified H2 in some instances).

31. The representative from OICA agreed the text was still in progress and informed GRPE that an update will be provided at the next GRPE session if a final proposal was not prepared on time for adoption by GRPE.

39. The representative from OICA introduced GRPE-85-25 proposing to add hydrogen fuel and associated specifications in UN Regulation No. 85. The representative from AAPC requested more information about the time when market fuel specifications would be determined, whether at type approval or at the time of the test. The representative from OICA clarified that fuel specifications would be determined at the time of the test.

40. The representative from the EC asked whether it should be Grade I or Grade II hydrogen as specified in GRPE-85-28; moreover, he informed GRPE that there is no reference to ISO 14687 in UN Regulation No. 154 that already covers hydrogen. The Chair proposed to resume the discussions on this item at the next session of GRPE. GRPE supported that proposal.

35. The representative from OICA introduced GRPE-86-25 as an update about the inclusion of hydrogen as a fuel in UN Regulations No. 49 and 85 and informed GRPE that the consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2022/20 as amended by GRPE-86-13 would be postponed until the next session of GRPE. The representative from the European Commission confirmed that no vehicles had been identified for validation tests and that the validation test campaign was expected to be finalized by the end of 2022. GRPE agreed to postpone the consideration of this issue to forthcoming sessions of GRPE.

35. The representative from OICA introduced GRPE-86-25 as an update about the inclusion of hydrogen as a fuel in UN Regulations No. 49 and 85 and informed GRPE that the consideration of ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2022/20 as amended by GRPE-86-13 would be postponed until the next session of GRPE. The representative from the European Commission confirmed that no vehicles had been identified for validation tests and that the validation test campaign was expected to be finalized by the end of 2022. GRPE agreed to postpone the consideration of this issue to forthcoming sessions of GRPE.

50. The representative from OICA introduced GRPE-87-50, summarizing the proposals on the inclusion of hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines in heavy duty vehicles. He introduced ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/6 as amended by GRPE-87-30. The representative from the European Commission introduced GRPE-87-31 to support the previous proposal.

51. The representatives from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden supported the proposal and congratulated all parties involved in the development of this proposal. The representative from the EC highlighted that hydrogen internal combustion engines were important to achieve heavy duty vehicles CO2 emission reduction targets. He also added that the scope of engines covered would be enlarged, as well as the inclusion of dual fuel engines in forthcoming amendments to the related legislation.

52. The representative from India also supported the proposal and requested additional information on the fuel specifications for hydrogen, informing that some parameters differ in UN GTR No. 15 compared to UN regulation No. 49. The representative from OICA confirmed fuel specifications are aligned between UN Regulations Nos. 154 and 49 but could not confirm they are the same in UN GTR No. 15. He explained that the difference might come from the different specifications for hydrogen whether they are used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines. The hydrogen purity needs to be better for fuel cells, explaining potential tighter tolerances if only one grade of hydrogen fuel is specified. He concluded by saying that a similar issue might arise in heavy duty applications when fuel cell trucks are being deployed more broadly.

53. The representative from France introduced GRPE-87-53. The representative from the European Commission clarified some of the content of this proposal.

54. GRPE adopted ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRPE/2023/6 as amended by GRPE-87-30 and complemented by GRPE-87-53, as reflected in Annex X, and requested the secretariat to submit it to WP.29 and AC.1 for consideration and vote at their June 2023 sessions as draft new supplement to the 07 Series of Amendments to UN Regulation No. 49.

55. The representative from OICA informed GRPE that OICA was exploring the possibility to also include hydrogen as a fuel in older series of amendments to UN Regulation No. 49. He noted that adding hydrogen was expected to be straight forward in the 06 series of amendments, and that an assessment was on-going for such inclusion in the 04 and 05 series of amendments.

40. The representative of OICA introduced GRPE-89-29, GRPE-89-30 and GRPE-89-31. The Chair noted the topic introduced, looking forward to a formal proposal.

41. He requested further information on the potential to include hydrogen in dual fuel legislation. The representative of OICA mentioned such possibility was still under development, with no proposal expected in the near future.