UN R135 — 02 series of amendments

Paragraph 5.2. now adds that vehicles equipped with electric power train must meet the requirements of paragraph 5.6. After the impact, the high voltage buses must meet at least one of the four criteria of paragraphs 5.6.1.1. to 5.6.1.4.2. The absence of high voltage criterion limits Ub, U1 and U2 to 30 VAC or 60 VDC within 60 seconds after the impact. Under the low electrical energy criterion, the Total Energy (TE) on the high voltage buses must be less than 0.2 joules. Physical protection requires protection degree IPXXB against direct contact with high voltage live parts. The criterion of paragraph 5.6.1.4. does not apply if more than a single potential of a part of the high voltage bus lacks IPXXB protection.

For an aqueous electrolyte REESS, no electrolyte may leak into the passenger compartment from the impact until 60 minutes after the impact. In that period, at most 7 per cent by volume of its electrolyte, with a maximum of 5.0 l, may leak outside the passenger compartment. A non-aqueous electrolyte REESS must not leak liquid electrolyte into the passenger or luggage compartment or outside the vehicle within 60 minutes of the impact. The REESS must remain attached to the vehicle by at least one component anchorage, bracket, or structure that transfers loads to the vehicle structure. A REESS located outside the passenger compartment must not enter the passenger compartment. From the impact until 60 minutes after the impact, there must be no evidence of fire or explosion from the REESS.

Paragraph 2.14. now defines “Passenger compartment with regard to occupant protection”, instead of “Passenger compartment”. New paragraph 2.15. defines “Passenger compartment for electric safety assessment”. Former paragraphs 2.15. to 2.25. are renumbered as paragraphs 2.16. to 2.26., and former paragraphs 2.26. and 2.27. become paragraphs 2.27. and 2.28. The “Vehicle type” definition adds item (j), REESS locations, in so far as they have a negative effect on the impact test result. New paragraphs 2.29. to 2.56. add definitions, for example “High voltage”, “Electric power train”, “State of Charge (SOC)”, “Fire” and “Explosion”.

Annex 3 adds new paragraph 7. on electrical power train adjustment, with procedures for SOC adjustment. The adjustment of SOC must be conducted at an ambient temperature of 20 ± 10 °C. Where different charging procedures are possible, the REESS must be charged using the procedure which yields the highest SOC. When the vehicle is tested, a REESS designed to be externally charged must have no less than 95 per cent of this SOC. For a REESS designed to be charged only by an energy source on the vehicle, the minimum is 90 per cent. Former paragraphs 7. to 8.6. of Annex 3 are renumbered as paragraphs 8. to 9.6.

New Annex 11 describes test procedures to demonstrate compliance with the electrical safety requirements of paragraph 5.6. Where its voltage instructions are used, the voltage must be measured not earlier than 10 seconds and not later than 60 seconds after the impact. Paragraph 3. gives the assessment procedure for low electrical energy, with formulas for the Total Energy (TE, TEy1, TEy2). For physical protection, the jointed test finger must be inserted into any gaps or openings with a test force of 10 N ± 10 per cent. Paragraph 4.1. gives two test methods for measuring electric resistance: a resistance tester, or a DC power supply, voltmeter and ammeter. Paragraph 5. gives two isolation resistance measurement methods: DC voltage from external sources, or the vehicle's own REESS as DC voltage source.

From the 02 series' official date of entry into force, no Contracting Party applying this Regulation may refuse to grant or accept its type-approvals. From 1 September 2023, Contracting Parties are not obliged to accept type-approvals of vehicles to the preceding series first issued after 1 September 2023. Approvals of vehicles to the preceding series first issued before 1 September 2023 must stay accepted if the earlier transitional provisions foresee this. Contracting Parties may grant type-approvals to any preceding series, and must continue to grant extensions of existing approvals to any preceding series. Contracting Parties starting to apply this Regulation after the most recent series enters into force are not obliged to accept approvals to any preceding series.

New paragraph 3.2.6. adds a general description of the electrical power source type, location and the electric power train (for example hybrid, electric). Paragraph 4.3. now assigns approval numbers in accordance with Schedule 4 of the Agreement (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3 and Amend.1). After a modification is notified, the Type Approval Authority may decide, in consultation with the manufacturer, to grant a new type approval. Or it may apply the revision procedure (para. 6.1.1.) and, if applicable, the extension procedure (para. 6.1.2.). The conformity of production procedures must comply with Schedule 1 of the Agreement (E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.3 and Amend.1). Annex 1 adds items 5.1. to 8., and the approval mark examples in Annex 2 now refer to the 02 series of amendments.