The Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology, ESMA, has completed the "Technical regulation" of the Hydrogen Cell Vehicle, which is environmentally-friendly and only emits "water vapour", making the UAE the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to establish a future legislation, in line with the country’s post-oil plans.
ESMA is spearheading the national legislative efforts in this regard and at three levels, which have been implemented sequentially. Started with hybrid semi-environmentally friendly cars, then moving to more environmentally-friendly vehicles, electric vehicles, and now to the third level, of Zero emissions vehicles, according to Abdullah Al Maeeni, ESMA Director-General.
"The project covers the general safety requirements that must be met in hydrogen vehicles, in terms of setting requirements for storage tanks used, types and metal manufactured, and tests to be performed on cylinders in particular, as well as the need for safety valves to prevent high pressure inside the cylinder and keep them from different influences.
The system will determine the requirements for cutting other parts connected to the gas system, as well as the need for these parts to be suitable for use with gases and bear pressure from the cylinder," Al Maeeni said.
"The development of environmentally-friendly regulations is an important economic opportunity for national companies to take advantage of, and complete the research and study, to achieve good rates of growth, at a time when companies with vehicles compete in the market in the coming period, in preparation of a draft technical regulation for vehicles that operate on hydrogen-cell technology," he added.
"Hydrogen vehicles can be refilled in just minutes. We hope that in the coming period, vehicle manufacturers will move to hydrogen-cell vehicles as a future model, environmentally-friendly, water, unlike conventional internal combustion engines, which emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants," he said.
The hydrogen tank can travel between 500 and 650 kilometres, as the hydrogen tank is sufficient to generate power to cut that distance, and may not take the same time to supply the vehicle with gasoline or diesel or even electric power," Al Maeeni confirmed.
ESMA provides all means of support and cooperation with governmental and private entities to support sustainability concepts and enhance the quality of life in the UAE.