{"abstract":"This notice announces the availability of a planning document that describes the scope and timeline of NHTSA's proposed research program addressing safety and fuel economy assessment of hydrogen- powered fuel cell and internal combustion engine vehicles. Ensuring that hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) and fuel cell powered vehicles provide a level of safety comparable to that of other vehicles currently in use in the United States requires a substantial research effort. Hydrogen-powered vehicles will utilize many advanced and unique technologies that have not been tested in the transportation environment. Very little data are available concerning the safe performance of these vehicles because so few exist; they are typically prototypes handled by specially trained personnel. Many manufacturers, however, are substantially investing in producing and marketing these vehicles in the near future. As these vehicles are deployed into the fleet, the safety of hydrogen as a fuel and the safety of alternative fuel vehicles in crashes becomes an important issue for public safety. A failure to adequately address safety concerns in the earliest stages of development could have a negative impact on the deployment of this new technology. Corollary efforts by NHTSA that are covered in the plan address fuel economy and international harmonization of global technical regulations for hydrogen vehicles. The agency will analyze the potential increases in the fleet fuel economy. NHTSA will also work with its international counterparts to determine the content of regulations pertaining to fuel cell and ICE hydrogen vehicles. NHTSA seeks public review and comment on the planning document. Comments received will be evaluated and incorporated, as appropriate, into planned agency activities.","action":"Request for comments.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION","name":"Transportation Department","id":492,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/transportation-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/492","parent_id":null,"slug":"transportation-department"},{"raw_name":"National Highway Traffic Safety Administration","name":"National Highway Traffic Safety Administration","id":345,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/national-highway-traffic-safety-administration","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/345","parent_id":492,"slug":"national-highway-traffic-safety-administration"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2004/07/14/04-15971.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":571,"title":49}],"citation":"69 FR 42126","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":"2004-10-12","correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"Comments should be submitted early enough to ensure that Docket Management receives them not later than October 12, 2004.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. NHTSA-2004-18039"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"04-15971","effective_on":null,"end_page":42127,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"explanation":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2004/07/14/04-15971.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/07/14/04-15971/nhtsas-four-year-plan-for-hydrogen-fuel-cell-and-alternative-fuel-vehicle-safety-research","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/04-15971?publication_date=2004-07-14","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2004-07-14/04-15971/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":2,"page_views":{"count":38,"last_updated":"2026-04-04 18:15:03 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-07-14/pdf/04-15971.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":null,"publication_date":"2004-07-14","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2004/07/14/04-15971.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{},"regulation_id_numbers":[],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2011-11-12T12:42:11Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":null,"signing_date":null,"start_page":42126,"subtype":null,"title":"NHTSA's Four-Year Plan for Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Research","toc_doc":"Hydrogen, fuel cell, and alternative fuel safety research; four-year plan; comment request","toc_subject":"Motor vehicle safety standards:","topics":[],"type":"Proposed Rule","volume":69}