ISO 17268-1:2025

Overview

ISO 17268-1:2025 establishes comprehensive requirements for the design, safety, and operation of gaseous hydrogen land vehicle (GHLV) refuelling connectors. These connectors enable the secure transfer of hydrogen from dispensing systems to vehicles, supporting pressures up to 70 MPa and flow rates up to 120 g/s. The standard covers critical components including the receptacle and protective cap (vehicle-mounted), nozzle, and communication hardware. It excludes systems dispensing blends of hydrogen with natural gas. This standard is essential for stakeholders aiming to ensure safe, reliable, and interoperable hydrogen vehicle refuelling infrastructure.

Key Topics

• Design Requirements
  • Interchangeable nozzles and receptacles for compatibility at various pressure classes (H35, H70, etc.).
  • Construction to minimize incorrect assembly and accidental disconnection.
  • Materials compatibility with compressed hydrogen including resistance to pressure, temperature extremes, and corrosion.
• Safety and Operation
  • Prevent over-pressurization and incorrect fuelling for different hydrogen grades or incompatible vehicles.
  • Nozzle and receptacle features to avoid gas flow unless properly locked and connected.
  • Internal check valves in receptacles to prevent gas leaks.
• Testing and Performance
  • Rigorous design verification, including leakage, durability (up to 100,000 nozzle cycles), pressure, temperature, mechanical stress, and material aging.
  • Systematic marking and instructions to guide safe use and maintenance.
• Communication Hardware
  • Requirements for IrDA or equivalent technologies to ensure safe dispenser-vehicle communication.

Applications

ISO 17268-1:2025 is indispensable for manufacturers, integrators, and operators of hydrogen refuelling stations and hydrogen-powered vehicle OEMs. Practical applications include:

• Hydrogen Refuelling Stations
  • Ensuring universal connector compatibility and safety for public and fleet vehicle fuelling.
  • Adopting standardised connectors reduces downtime and risk of misfuelling.
• Hydrogen Land Vehicles
  • Facilitating safe, efficient refuelling for passenger cars, buses, and commercial vehicles.
  • Promoting interoperability between different vehicle types and dispenser systems globally.
• Engineering and Compliance
  • Guiding system designers in selecting certified components.
  • Aiding conformity assessment to international safety, durability, and usability benchmarks.
• Public Hydrogen Infrastructure
  • Enabling safe and effective rollout of hydrogen mobility solutions in public transport, logistics, and private sectors.

Related Standards

• ISO 14687: Hydrogen fuel quality - critical for determining compatible hydrogen grades for vehicles.
• ISO 19880-1: General requirements for hydrogen fuelling stations, including dispenser pressure terminology.
• ISO 14469 & ISO 16380: Related standards for compressed natural gas and other gaseous vehicle fuelling connectors.
• SAE J2799: Specified communication protocols for dispenser-vehicle data exchange.
• ISO 188, ISO 1431-1, ISO 9227, ISO 12103-1: Material testing standards referred to for aging, corrosion, and contaminant resistance.

Conclusion

ISO 17268-1:2025 is foundational for the safe, efficient, and interoperable development of hydrogen vehicle refuelling connectors worldwide. It promotes reliability, user safety, and infrastructure compatibility-key factors driving growth in hydrogen mobility and clean transportation. Manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and regulatory bodies alike rely on this international standard to build confidence in hydrogen refuelling technology.