August 2004

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to launch a four-year safety research program for hydrogen-powered fuel cell and internal combustion engine vehicles. A July 14 memorandum from Joseph N. Kanianthra, the agency’s associate administrator for vehicle research, says such a program is needed because “very little data are available concerning the safe performance” of hydrogen i.c. and fuel cell vehicles “because so few exist; they are typically prototypes handled by specially trained personnel. As these vehicles are deployed in the fleet, the safety of hydrogen as a fuel and the safety of alternative fuel vehicles in crashes becomes an issue of significant concern. A failure to address safety concerns in the earliest stages of development could have a negative impact on the deployment of this new technology.” The memo says the agency has established a working group to coordinate activities in the areas of international harmonization, research, regulation, and enforcement as it relates to hydrogen fueled vehicle safety, and the group coordinates activities with the Transportation Department’s Hydrogen Fuels Working Group. NHTSA wants to start these research activities as early as fiscal year 2005, subject to the availability of funds. “Automotive News” said in a July 26 story the agency is seeking $5 million for fiscal year 2005. Deadline for comments is Oct. 12, 2004. Contact/Source: Federal Register, July 14, 2004, Vol. 69, No. 134, pages 42126-42127.