Only the original UN/ECE texts have legal effect under international public law. The status and date of entry into force of this Regulation should be checked in the latest version of the UN/ECE status document TRANS/WP.29/343, available at: https://unece.org/status-1958-agreement-and-annexed-regulations

UN Regulation No 153 – Uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to fuel system integrity and safety of electric power train in the event of a rear-end collision [2021/2060]

Incorporating all valid text up to:

Supplement 1 to the original version of the Regulation – Date of entry into force: 9 June 2021

This document is meant purely as documentation tool. The authentic and legally binding texts are:

ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2020/76 and

ECE/TRANS/WP.29/2020/114

CONTENTS

Regulation

1. Scope

2. Definitions

3. Application for approval

4. Approval

5. Requirements

6. Test

7. Modification and extension of approval of a vehicle type

8. Conformity of production

9. Penalties for non-conformity of production

10. Production definitively discontinued

11. Names and addresses of the Technical Services responsible for conducting approval tests and of the Type Approval Authorities

Annexes

1 Communication

2 Examples of arrangements of approval marks

3 Procedure for rear-end impact test

4 Test conditions and procedures for the assessment of post-crash hydrogen fuel system integrity

5 Test procedures for vehicles equipped with electric power train

1. Scope

This Regulation applies to vehicles of category M1 (1) with a total permissible mass not exceeding 3 500 kg and to vehicles of category N1 with regard to fuel system integrity and safety of electric power train operating on high voltage in the event of a rear-end collision.

2. Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation:

2.1. ' Vehicle type ' means a category of power-driven vehicles which do not differ in such essential respects as:

2.1.1. The length and width of the vehicle in so far as they have an effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Regulation.

2.1.2. The structure, dimensions, lines and materials of the part of the vehicle rearward of the transverse plane through the 'R' point of the rearmost seat.

2.1.3. The lines and inside dimensions of the passenger compartment in so far as they have an effect on the results of the impact test prescribed in this Regulation.

2.1.4. The siting (front, rear or centre) and the orientation (transversal or longitudinal) of the engine, in so far as they have a negative effect on the result of the impact test procedure as prescribed in this Regulation.

2.1.5. The unladen mass, in so far as there is a negative effect on the result of the impact test prescribed in this Regulation.

2.1.6. The locations of the REESS, in so far as they have a negative effect on the result of the impact test prescribed in this Regulation.

2.1.7. The structure, shape, dimensions and materials (metal/plastic) of the tank(s).

2.1.8. The position of the tank(s) in the vehicle in so far as it has a negative effect on the requirements of paragraph 5.2.1.

2.1.9. The characteristics and location of the fuel feed system (pump, filters, etc.).

2.2. ' Passenger compartment ' means the space for occupant accommodation, bounded by the roof, floor, side walls, doors, outside glazing, front bulkhead and rear bulkhead, or rear gate, as well as by the electrical protection barriers and enclosures provided for protecting the occupants from direct contact with high voltage live parts.

2.3. ' Unladen mass ' means the mass of the vehicle in running order, unoccupied and unladen but complete with fuel, coolant, lubricant, tools and a spare wheel (if provided as standard equipment by the vehicle manufacturer).

2.4. ' Tank ' means the tank(s) designed to contain the liquid fuel, as defined in paragraph 2.6 or compressed hydrogen gas, used primarily for the propulsion of the vehicle excluding its accessories (filler pipe, if it is a separate element, filler hole, cap, gauge, connections to the engine or to compensate interior excess pressure, etc.).

2.5. ' Capacity of the fuel tank ' means the fuel-tank capacity as specified by the manufacturer.

2.6. ' Liquid fuel ' means a fuel which is liquid in normal conditions of temperature and pressure.

2.7. ' High voltage ' means the classification of an electric component or circuit, if its working voltage is > 60 V and ≤ 1 500 V direct current (DC) or > 30 V and ≤ 1 000 V alternating current (AC) root – mean – square (rms).

2.8. ' Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REESS) ' means the rechargeable energy storage system that provides electric energy for electrical propulsion. A battery whose primary use is to supply power for starting the engine and/or lighting and/or other vehicle auxiliaries’ systems is not considered as a REESS. The REESS may include the necessary systems for physical support, thermal management, electronic controls and casing.

2.9. ' Electrical protection barrier ' means the part providing protection against any direct contact to the high voltage live parts.

2.10. ' Electric power train ' means the electrical circuit which includes the traction motor(s), and may also include the REESS, the electric energy conversion system, the electronic converters, the associated wiring harness and connectors, and the coupling system for charging the REESS.

2.11. ' Live parts ' means conductive part(s) intended to be electrically energized under normal operating conditions.

2.12. ' Exposed conductive part ' means the conductive part which can be touched under the provisions of the protection degree IPXXB which is not normally energized, but which can become electrically energized under isolation failure conditions. This includes parts under a cover that can be removed without using tools.

2.13. ' Direct contact ' means the contact of persons with high voltage live parts.

2.14. ' Indirect contact ' means the contact of persons with exposed conductive parts.

2.15. ' Protection degree IPXXB ' means protection from contact with high voltage live parts provided by either an electrical protection barrier or an enclosure and tested using a Jointed Test Finger (protection degree IPXXB) as described in paragraph 4 of Annex 5.

2.16. ' Working voltage ' means the highest value of an electrical circuit voltage root-mean-square (rms), specified by the manufacturer, which may occur between any conductive parts in open circuit conditions or under normal operating conditions. If the electrical circuit is divided by galvanic isolation, the working voltage is defined for each divided circuit, respectively.

2.17. ' Coupling system for charging the Rechargeable Electrical Energy Storage System (REESS) ' means the electrical circuit used for charging the REESS from an external electrical power supply including the vehicle inlet.

2.18. ' Electrical chassis ' means a set made of conductive parts electrically linked together, whose electrical potential is taken as reference.

2.19. ' Electrical circuit ' means an assembly of connected high voltage live parts which is designed to be electrically energized in normal operation.

2.20. ' Electric energy conversion system ' means a system (e.g. fuel cell) that generates and provides electric energy for electric propulsion.

2.21. ' Electronic converter ' means a device capable of controlling and/or converting electric power for electric propulsion.

2.22. ' Enclosure ' means the part enclosing the internal units and providing protection against any direct contact.

2.23. ' High Voltage Bus ' means the electrical circuit, including the coupling system for charging the REESS that operates on a high voltage. Where electrical circuits are galvanically connected to each other and fulfil the specific voltage condition, only the components or parts of the electric circuit that operate on high voltage are classified as a high voltage bus.

2.24. ' Solid insulator ' means the insulating coating of wiring harnesses, provided in order to cover and prevent the high voltage live parts from any direct contact.

2.25. ' Automatic disconnect ' means a device that when triggered, conductively separates the electrical energy sources from the rest of the high voltage circuit of the electric power train.

2.26. ' Open type traction battery ' means a type of battery requiring liquid and generating hydrogen gas released to the atmosphere.

2.27. ' Aqueous electrolyte ' means an electrolyte based on water solvent for the compounds (e.g. acids, bases) which provides conducting ions after its dissociation.

2.28. ' Electrolyte leakage ' means the escape of electrolyte from REESS in the form of liquid.

2.29. ' Non-aqueous electrolyte ' means an electrolyte not based on water as the solvent.

2.30. ' Normal operating conditions ' includes operating modes and conditions that can reasonably be encountered during normal operation of the vehicle including driving at legal speeds, parking or idling in traffic, as well as, charging using chargers that are compatible with the specific charging ports installed on the vehicle. It does not include, conditions where the vehicle is damaged, either by a crash, road debris or vandalization, subjected to fire or water submersion, or in a state where service and or maintenance is needed or being performed.

2.31. ' Specific voltage condition ' means the condition that the maximum voltage of a galvanically connected electrical circuit between a DC live part and any other live part (DC or AC) is ≤ 30 V AC (rms) and ≤ 60 V DC. Note: When a DC live part of such an electrical circuit is connected to chassis and the specific voltage condition applies, the maximum voltage between any live part and the electrical chassis is ≤ 30 V AC (rms) and ≤ 60 V DC.

3. Application for Approval

3.1. The application for approval of a vehicle type with regard to fuel system integrity and with regard to the safety of electric power train operating on high voltage in the event of rear-end collision shall be submitted by the vehicle manufacturer or by their duly accredited representative in accordance with the procedure set out in Schedule 3 of the Agreement (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3).

3.2. A model of the information document is given in Annex 1 – Appendix 1.

4. Approval

4.1. If the vehicle submitted for approval pursuant to this Regulation meets the requirements of this Regulation, approval of that vehicle type shall be granted.

4.1.1. The Technical Service appointed in accordance with paragraph 11 below shall check whether the required conditions have been satisfied.

4.1.2. In case of doubt, account shall be taken, when verifying the conformity of the vehicle to the requirements of this Regulation, of any data or test results provided by the manufacturer which can be taken into consideration in validating the approval test carried out by the Technical Service.

4.2. An approval number shall be assigned to each type approved in accordance with Schedule 4 of the Agreement (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3).

4.3. Notice of approval or of extension or of refusal or withdrawal of approval or production definitely discontinued of a vehicle type pursuant to this Regulation shall be communicated to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement which apply this Regulation by means of a form conforming to the model in Annex 1 to this Regulation.

4.4. There shall be affixed, conspicuously and in a readily accessible place specified on the approval form, to every vehicle conforming to a vehicle type approved under this Regulation, an international approval mark conforming to the model given in Annex 2 consisting of:

4.4.1. A circle surrounding the letter 'E' followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval ( 2 )

4.4.2. the number of this Regulation, followed by the letter 'R', a dash and the approval number to the right of the circle prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1.

4.5. If the vehicle conforms to a vehicle type approved, under one or more other UN Regulations annexed to the Agreement, in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation, the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1 need not be repeated; in such a case the additional numbers and symbols of all the UN Regulations under which approval has been granted in the country which has granted approval under this Regulation shall be placed in vertical columns to the right of the symbol prescribed in paragraph 4.4.1.

4.6. The approval mark shall be clearly legible and be indelible.

5. Requirements

5.1. When the vehicle has undergone the test referred to in paragraph 6 below, the provisions in paragraph 5.2 shall be fulfilled. A vehicle with all parts of the fuel system installed in front of the midpoint of the wheelbase is deemed to fulfil the provisions in paragraph 5.2.1. A vehicle with all parts of the electric power train operating on high voltage installed in front of the midpoint of the wheelbase is deemed to fulfil the provisions in paragraph 5.2.2.

5.2. Following the test conducted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Annex 3, Annex 4 and Annex 5 to this Regulation, following provisions with regard to fuel system integrity and safety of electric power train shall be fulfilled:

5.2.1. In the case of a vehicle propelled by liquid fuel, compliance with paragraphs 5.2.1.1 to 5.2.1.2 shall be shown. In case of compressed hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, compliance with paragraphs 5.2.1.3 to 5.2.1.5 shall be shown.

5.2.1.1. No more than slight leakage of liquid from the fuel-feed installation shall occur on collision.

5.2.1.2. If there is continuous leakage of liquid from the fuel-feed installation after the collision, the rate of leakage shall not exceed 30 g/min; if the liquid from the fuel-feed system mixes with liquids from the other systems and the various liquids cannot easily be separated and identified, all the liquids collected shall be taken into account in evaluating the continuous leakage.

5.2.1.3. The hydrogen leakage rate (V H2 ) determined in accordance with either, paragraph 4 of Annex 4 for hydrogen, or paragraph 5 of Annex 4 for helium, shall not exceed an average of 118 NL per minute for the time interval, Δt minutes, after the crash.

5.2.1.4. The gas (hydrogen or helium as applicable) concentration by volume in air values determined for the passenger and luggage compartments in accordance with paragraph 6 of Annex 4, shall not exceed 4.0 per cent for hydrogen or 3.0 per cent for helium, at any time throughout the 60 minute post-crash measurement period. This requirement is satisfied if it is confirmed that the shut-off valve of each hydrogen storage system has closed within 5 seconds of first vehicle contact with the impactor and there is no leakage from the hydrogen storage system(s).

5.2.1.5. The container(s) (for hydrogen storage) shall remain attached to the vehicle at a minimum of one attachment point.

5.2.2. In case of a vehicle equipped with an electric power train operating on high voltage, the electric power train and the high voltage systems which are galvanically connected to the high voltage bus of the electric power train shall meet the requirements in paragraphs 5.2.2.1 to 5.2.2.3:

5.2.2.1. Protection against electrical shock After the impact, the high voltage buses shall meet at least one of the four criteria specified in paragraph 5.2.2.1.1 through paragraph 5.2.2.1.4.2 below. If the vehicle has an automatic disconnect function, or device(s) that conductively divide the electric power train circuit during driving condition, at least one of the following criteria shall apply to the disconnected circuit or to each divided circuit individually after the disconnect function is activated. However, criteria defined in 5.2.2.1.4 below shall not apply if more than a single potential of a part of the high voltage bus is not protected under the conditions of protection degree IPXXB. In the case that the crash test is performed under the condition that part(s) of the high voltage system are not energized and with the exception of any coupling system for charging the REESS which is not energized during driving, the protection against electrical shock shall be proved by either paragraph 5.2.2.1.3 or paragraph 5.2.2.1.4 for the relevant part(s).

5.2.2.1.1. Absence of high voltage The voltages Ub, U1 and U2 of the high voltage buses shall be equal or less than 30 VAC or 60 VDC within 60 s after the impact when measured in accordance with paragraph 2 of Annex 5.

5.2.2.1.2. Low electrical energy The Total Energy (TE) on the high voltage buses shall be less than 0,2 J when measured according to the test procedure as specified in paragraph 3 of Annex 5 with the formula (a). Alternatively, the Total Energy (TE) may be calculated by the measured voltage Ub of the high voltage bus and the capacitance of the X-capacitors (Cx) specified by the manufacturer according to formula (b) of paragraph 3 of Annex 5. The energy stored in the Y-capacitors (TEy1, TEy2) shall also be less than 0,2 J. This shall be calculated by measuring the voltages U1 and U2 of the high voltage buses and the electrical chassis, and the capacitance of the Y-capacitors specified by the manufacturer according to formula (c) of paragraph 3 of Annex 5.

5.2.2.1.3. Physical protection For protection against direct contact with high voltage live parts, the protection degree IPXXB shall be provided. The assessment shall be conducted in accordance with paragraph 4 of Annex 5. In addition, for protection against electrical shock which could arise from indirect contact, the resistance between all exposed conductive parts of electrical protection barriers/enclosures and the electrical chassis shall be lower than 0,1 Ω and the resistance between any two simultaneously reachable exposed conductive parts of electrical protection barriers/enclosures that are less than 2,5 m from each other shall be less than 0,2 Ω when there is current flow of at least 0,2 A. This resistance may be calculated using the separately measured resistances of the relevant parts of electric path. This requirement is satisfied if the galvanic connection has been made by welding. In case of doubt or the connection is established by means other than welding, measurement shall be made by using one of the test procedures described in paragraph 4 of Annex 5.

5.2.2.1.4. Isolation resistance The criteria specified in the paragraphs 5.2.2.1.4.1 and 5.2.2.1.4.2 below shall be met. The measurement shall be conducted in accordance with paragraph 5 of Annex 5.

5.2.2.1.4.1. Electric power train consisting of separate DC- or AC-buses If the AC high voltage buses and the DC high voltage buses are galvanically isolated from each other, isolation resistance between the high voltage bus and the electrical chassis (Ri, as defined in paragraph 5 of Annex 5) shall have a minimum value of 100 Ω/V of the working voltage for DC buses, and a minimum value of 500 Ω/V of the working voltage for AC buses.

5.2.2.1.4.2. Electric power train consisting of combined DC- and AC-buses If the AC high voltage buses and the DC high voltage buses are conductively connected, they shall meet one of the following requirements: (a) Isolation resistance between the high voltage bus and the electrical chassis shall have a minimum value of 500 Ω/V of the working voltage; (b) Isolation resistance between the high voltage bus and the electrical chassis shall have a minimum value of 100 Ω/V of the working voltage and the AC bus meets the physical protection as described in paragraph 5.2.2.1.3; (c) Isolation resistance between the high voltage bus and the electrical chassis shall have a minimum value of 100 Ω/V of the working voltage and the AC bus meets the absence of high voltage as described in paragraph 5.2.2.1.1.

5.2.2.2. Electrolyte leakage

5.2.2.2.1. In case of aqueous electrolyte REESS. For a period from the impact until 60 minutes after the impact, there shall be no electrolyte leakage from the REESS into the passenger compartment and no more than 7 per cent by volume of the REESS electrolyte with a maximum of 5,0 l leaked from the REESS to the outside of the passenger compartment. The leaked amount of electrolyte can be measured by the usual techniques of determining liquid volumes after its collection. For containers containing Stoddard, coloured coolant and electrolyte, the fluids shall be allowed to separate by specific gravity then measured.

5.2.2.2.2. In case of non-aqueous electrolyte REESS. For a period from the impact until 60 minutes after the impact, there shall be no liquid electrolyte leakage from the REESS into the passenger compartment or luggage compartment and no liquid electrolyte leakage to outside the vehicle. This requirement shall be verified by visual inspection without disassembling any part of the vehicle. The manufacturer shall demonstrate compliance in accordance with paragraph 6 of Annex 5.

5.2.2.3. REESS retention REESS shall remain attached to the vehicle by at least one component anchorage, bracket, or any structure that transfers loads from REESS to the vehicle structure, and REESS located outside the passenger compartment shall not enter the passenger compartment. The manufacturer shall demonstrate compliance in accordance with paragraph 7 of Annex 5.

6. Test

6.1. The vehicle’s compliance with the requirements of paragraph 5 above shall be checked by the method set out in Annex 3, Annex 4 and Annex 5 to this Regulation

7. Modifications and extension of approval of the vehicle type

7.1. Every modification of the vehicle type with regard to this Regulation shall be notified to the Type Approval Authority which approved that vehicle type. The Type Approval Authority may then either: (a) Decide, in consultation with the manufacturer, that a new type approval is to be granted; or (b) Apply the procedure contained in paragraph 7.1.1 (Revision) and, if applicable, the procedure contained in paragraph 7.1.2 (Extension).

7.1.1. Revision When particulars recorded in the information documents of Annex 1 - Appendix 1 have changed and the Type Approval Authority considers that the modifications made are unlikely to have appreciable adverse effect, and that in any case the vehicle still meets the requirements, the modification shall be designated a 'revision'. In such a case, the Type Approval Authority shall issue the revised pages of the information documents of Annex 1 - Appendix 1 as necessary, marking each revised page to show clearly the nature of the modification and the date of re-issue. A consolidated, updated version of the information documents of Annex 1 - Appendix 1, accompanied by a detailed description of the modification, shall be deemed to meet this requirement.

7.1.2. Extension The modification shall be designated an 'extension' if, in addition to the change of the particulars recorded in the information folder: (a) Further inspections or tests are required; or (b) Any information on the communication document (with the exception of its attachments) has changed; or (c) Approval to a later series of amendments is requested after its entry into force.

7.2. Notice of confirmation, extension, or refusal of approval shall be communicated by the procedure specified in paragraph 4.3 above, to the Contracting Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation. In addition, the index to the information documents and to the test reports, attached to the communication document of Annex 1, shall be amended accordingly to show the date of the most recent revision or extension.

7.3. The Type Approval Authority issuing the extension of approval shall assign a series number to each communication form drawn up for such an extension.

8. Conformity of Production

The conformity of production procedures shall comply with those set out in the Agreement, Schedule 1 (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3), with the following requirements:

8.1. Every vehicle bearing an approval mark as prescribed under this Regulation shall conform to the vehicle type approved by meeting the requirements set out in paragraph 5 above.

9. Penalties for non-conformity of production

9.1. The approval granted in respect of a vehicle type pursuant to this Regulation may be withdrawn if the requirements laid down in paragraph 8.1 above is not complied with.

9.2. If a Contracting Party to the Agreement which applies this Regulation withdraws an approval it has previously granted, it shall forthwith notify the other Contracting Parties applying this Regulation by means of a copy of the approval form bearing at the end, in large letters, the signed and dated annotation 'APPROVAL WITHDRAWN'.

10. Production definitively discontinued

If the holder of the approval completely ceases to manufacture the vehicle type approved in accordance with this Regulation, he shall so inform the Type Approval Authority which granted the approval. Upon receiving the relevant communication that Type Approval Authority shall inform thereof the other Contracting Parties applying this Regulation by means of a copy of the approval form bearing at the end, in large letters, the signed and dated annotation 'PRODUCTION DISCONTINUED'.

11. Names and addresses of Technical Services responsible for conducting approval tests and of Type Approval Authorities

The Contracting Parties to the Agreement applying this Regulation shall communicate to the Secretariat of the United Nations the names and addresses of the Technical Services responsible for conducting approval tests and of the Type Approval Authorities which grant approval and to which forms certifying approval or refusal, or extension or withdrawal of approval, issued in the other countries, are to be sent.

(1) As defined in the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3.), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev.6, para. 2. –

https://unece.org/transport/standards/transport/vehicle-regulations-wp29/resolutions

(2) The distinguishing numbers of the Contracting Parties to the 1958 Agreement are reproduced in Annex 3 to the Consolidated Resolution on the Construction of Vehicles (R.E.3), document ECE/TRANS/WP.29/78/Rev. 6 -

https://unece.org/transport/standards/transport/vehicle-regulations-wp29/resolutions