26. GRSP considered GRSP-73-17, (superseding ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/10) by the expert from the Netherlands, aimed at identifying HDV equipped with an electric drivetrain. He added that the proposal of additional labelling would help emergency services to determine how to approach these vehicles in case of a fire. The expert from Japan agreed in principle with the proposal. He also introduced GRSP-73-49 to supplement it with the labelling of hydrogen- and fuel-cell vehicles, consistent with UN Regulation No. 134. The expert from the United Kingdom questioned the proposed colours of the labelling, which could conflict with those required by the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and in national legislations. The expert from the Russian Federation presented GRSP-73-47 that introduced a proposal (GRSP-73-02) to extend the identification of vehicles to categories M and N with an electric drivetrain. He also informed GRSP that the lack of internet accessibility in numerous areas on the territory of his country would not allow viable solutions such as apps to identify electric vehicles. He added that for vehicles immersed in water (e.g. fallen from a bridge), quick response code reading (QR) would not be applicable. The expert from OICA, argued that buses already had numerous labelling and that electric vehicles with a labelling as such would come across as dangerous, creating excessive alarm for the public. The expert from the Netherland, clarified that passenger vehicles (M1) and light duty vehicles were not a priority for labels because they were covered by the Euro New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP). He added that few HDV were electric-power trained, and needed to be identified for emergency services.

27. GRSP agreed to resume discussion at its December 2023 session and invited concerned parties to liaise with the expert from the Netherlands to develop a comprehensive proposal of all point views (including ECE/TRANS/WP.29/GRSP/2023/10, GRSP-73-17 and GRSP-73-49). The expert from the Russian Federation withdrew GRSP-73-02 and announced a new proposal for the next session.