The Australian Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown has signed three new Australian Design Rules (ADRs) on zero emission vehicle safety.

ADR 109/00 and 109/01 – Electric Power Train Safety Requirements are two new standards that mandate technical, safety and performance requirements for high-voltage electrical components, such as the rechargeable electrical energy storage system (REESS) and traction motor operated by high-voltage electric power that is not permanently connected to the grid.

This includes their high-voltage components and systems, which are galvanically connected to the high-voltage bus of the electric powertrain.

ADR 109/00 will apply from 1 November 2024 for all new model vehicles and from 1 November 2025 for all vehicles. ADR 109/01 will apply from 1 November 2025 for all new model vehicles and from 1 November 2028 for all vehicles.

The new ADR 110/00 – Hydrogen-Fuelled Vehicle Safety Related Performance provides technical, safety and performance requirements for compressed hydrogen storage systems (CHSS) and their components. ADR 110/00 will apply from 1 November 024 for all new model vehicles and from 1 November 2026 for all vehicles.

The Department said establishing the national road vehicle standards and aligning them with international standards ensure the safest possible vehicles are available for the Australian community and roads.

“Furthermore, ADRs 109/00 and 109/01 supports the Australian Government’s National Electric Vehicle (EV) Strategy in increasing the uptake of EVs to reduce our emissions and improve the well-being of Australians,” the Department said.

“ADR 110/00 supports Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy for long-term emissions reductions and a viable alternative fuel source.”