SAE J2601-2-2023 PDF

Full title and description

St SAE J2601-2-2023 — Fueling Protocol for Gaseous Hydrogen Powered Heavy Duty Vehicles. This SAE information report specifies performance requirements, safety limits and boundary conditions for hydrogen dispensing systems used to fuel heavy-duty transit buses and other heavy-duty gaseous-hydrogen vehicles (primarily for 35 MPa dispensing; other pressures are optional). It is a performance-based fueling protocol intended to guide fueling-system builders, vehicle manufacturers and fleet/operators without prescribing a single technical implementation for achieving a full fill or 100% state of charge (SOC).

Abstract

SAE J2601-2_202307 (2023) establishes requirements and operational boundaries for safe, repeatable fueling of heavy-duty gaseous-hydrogen vehicles (transit buses and similar) with combined vehicle CHSS capacity greater than 10 kg. The report harmonizes dispenser fueling limits with on‑board fuel system assumptions and provides performance criteria that station and dispenser designers, manufacturers and operators can use to deliver reliable fills while protecting vehicle hardware and safety. The document is non-prescriptive in fueling technique and is intended to complement (not replace) SAE J2601 for light-duty vehicles.

General information

• Status: Stabilized (active/in-force as of July 2023).
• Publication date: July 6, 2023 (document designation J2601/2_202307; stabilized July 2023).
• Publisher: SAE International.
• ICS / categories: 43.080 (Commercial vehicles) — related to road-vehicle engineering; also relevant to 43.020 (road vehicles in general) and fuelling/station codes.
• Edition / version: J2601/2_202307 (2023, stabilized).
• Number of pages: 14 pages (information report length).

Scope

The standard sets performance requirements for gaseous hydrogen dispensers used to fuel 35 MPa heavy‑duty transit buses and similar heavy vehicles (other pressures may be accommodated as optional). It establishes safety limits, dispenser performance criteria and boundary conditions for safe heavy‑duty hydrogen fueling, and is intended for vehicles with combined CHSS (compressed hydrogen storage system) capacity greater than 10 kg. SAE J2601-2 is independent from SAE J2601 (the light‑duty fueling protocol) and should be applied separately for heavy‑duty applications; the document does not mandate a single method to achieve a full fill or 100% SOC but provides harmonized fueling limits that align with vehicle manufacturer assumptions.

Key topics and requirements

• Performance requirements and acceptance criteria for hydrogen dispensers intended for heavy‑duty vehicle refuelling (primarily 35 MPa).
• Definition of boundary conditions and safety limits to protect vehicle tanks and dispenser equipment during fills.
• Applicability to heavy‑duty transit buses and vehicles with combined CHSS capacity >10 kg.
• Non‑prescriptive fueling methods — performance based rather than mandating a specific control algorithm or hardware design.
• Harmonization of fueling limits with on‑board fuel system assumptions provided by manufacturers to ensure compatible fill behavior.

Typical use and users

This information report is used by hydrogen fueling‑station designers and integrators, dispenser manufacturers, heavy‑duty vehicle and bus OEMs, fleet operators, test laboratories and regulatory or permitting authorities involved in approving hydrogen fuelling installations. It guides station implementation, acceptance testing and operational procedures for heavy‑duty hydrogen refuelling.

Related standards

Key related standards and documents include SAE J2601 (Fueling Protocols for Light‑Duty Gaseous Hydrogen Surface Vehicles) — a complementary standard for light‑duty vehicles — and SAE J2799 (vehicle‑station communications for hydrogen fueling), plus international and national codes for hydrogen fuelling stations such as the ISO 19880 series and NFPA 2 (Hydrogen Technologies Code). These documents together address vehicle interfaces, station design, communications and safety practices for hydrogen refuelling.

Keywords

hydrogen refuelling, gaseous hydrogen, heavy‑duty vehicles, transit buses, fueling protocol, dispenser performance, 35 MPa, CHSS capacity, SAE J2601-2, fueling limits, safety limits.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE J2601-2_202307 is an SAE information report titled "Fueling Protocol for Gaseous Hydrogen Powered Heavy Duty Vehicles" that defines performance requirements and safety/boundary conditions for hydrogen dispensers used to fuel heavy‑duty buses and similar vehicles.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers dispenser performance requirements, safety limits and fueling boundary conditions for heavy‑duty gaseous hydrogen refuelling (primarily 35 MPa), and aligns dispenser fueling limits with vehicle manufacturer assumptions while remaining non‑prescriptive about the exact fueling method.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fueling‑station and dispenser manufacturers, heavy‑duty vehicle and bus OEMs, fleet operators, test labs and permitting/regulatory entities involved in hydrogen station design, acceptance and operation.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: As of the stabilization notice in July 2023 the document is listed as stabilized (active). Users should confirm any later revisions or amendments with SAE International for the most current status before relying on the standard for procurement or compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is a complementary/related document to SAE J2601 (the light‑duty fueling protocol). It sits within SAE's family of hydrogen fueling documents and works alongside communications and station codes such as SAE J2799 and international station standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Hydrogen, gaseous hydrogen, fueling protocol, heavy‑duty vehicles, transit buses, dispenser performance, 35 MPa, CHSS, SAE J2601‑2.