VEHICLES USING COMPRESSED HYDROGEN

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VEHICLES USING COMPRESSED HYDROGEN

2.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Minister for Transport (a) what safeguards are there to ensure that vehicles running on compressed hydrogen do not pose a danger to the public in the event of a collision involving such a vehicle; (b) whether there will be the possibility of an explosion of the vehicle upon impact in a collision; and (c) how is the Singapore Civil Defence Force being prepared for such contingencies if more motor vehicles use compressed hydrogen.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: The number of hydrogen fuel cell cars in Singapore is very small. So far, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has registered two hydrogen fuel cell cars of DaimlerChrysler South East Asia Pte Ltd (DC) for local test-bedding and development purposes under the joint EDB-LTA Transport Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES). DC will be registering four more hydrogen fuel cell cars under the TIDES.

To ensure the vehicles are safe, LTA imposes special registration requirements for such cars. As part of the process, DC had provided documentation and test results to show that these cars and their fuel cell components have been thoroughly tested and comply fully with the prescribed vehicle safety standards.

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Besides having the usual safety systems found in conventional cars, the fuel cell cars are fitted with additional safety features to ensure that any fire or explosion arising from collisions is no riskier than that caused by conventional petrol powered cars. These features include a hydrogen leakage detection system to continually monitor for gas leakage (even when the car is parked). If leakage is detected, the hydrogen supply from the tank would be automatically cut off to minimise any fire or explosion risk.

As additional safety measures, DC has also designed the cars such that the hydrogen storage tanks are mounted in the middle of the car and protected by a steel cage to reduce the impact in the event of a collision. An inertia switch would also cut off the hydrogen and power supply during a collision to minimise the danger posed to the occupants or other road users. As proof of their crashworthiness, DC has crash-tested these fuel cell cars, and they are certified to be compliant with all crash safety requirements in accordance with the European standards.

Collectively, these safety measures help to ensure that hydrogen fuel cell cars do not pose a danger to the public when used on the roads nor cause an explosion in the event of a collision.

Should an accident involving motor vehicles that use compressed hydrogen occur, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) is well prepared to deal with the situation. According to SCDF, the fire fighting skills are the same as that required for fighting fires involving vehicles that use petrol or diesel. As part of the SCDF officers' training, they are also familiarised with the construction of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and the precautions to take when responding to an accident involving such a vehicle.