The B2B platform for full-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Policy News

The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has adopted a regulation that introduces type approval requirements for all types of electric and hybrid vehicles’ electric safety. The new regulation offers car manufacturers the legal instrument to put on the market of 41 countries passenger and commercial EVs and PHEVs, while reducing the costs and delays associated with multiple approvals in various countries.

Adopted by UNECE’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations at its March 2010 session, the new version of UNECE Regulation No. 100, covers electric safety requirements for all types of electric vehicles, from pure electric, hybrid, plug-in, through to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It covers both passenger and commercial vehicles, as long as their speed exceeds 25 km/h.

Electric shock protection for users is a key requirement

UNECE Regulation 100 will ensure the safety of electric cars by setting out how users of cars shall be protected from the high voltage parts of cars. For example, the regulation:

• prescribes a test procedure that uses a standardised 'test finger' to check protection all over the car.

• ensures that users do not accidentally come into contact with high voltage cables.

• defines requirements on the practical use of electric cars, such as giving an indication to the driver that the electric engine is switched on.

• requires safeguards to prevent electric vehicles from moving when being recharged.

Reducing the costs and delays associated with multiple approvals

A vehicle obtaining verification of conformity to the requirements of the regulation (type approval) will benefit from the mutual recognition of this approval in all Contracting Parties applying UNECE Regulation No. 100 (currently 41 countries).

The list of contracting countries where car manufacturers will be able to sell their vehicles on the basis of common standards includes the 27 Member States of the European Union, the European Union itself, as well as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Malaysia, Montenegro, Norway, Russian Federation, Serbia, Switzerland, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia and Turkey.

Besides the EU, Japan has also already indicated that it intends to incorporate the new UNECE Regulation in its respective rules on technical standards for vehicles.