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Following is a question by the Hon Martin Lee and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, in the Legislative Council today (December 5):
Question:
Regarding the introduction of vehicles using cleaner fuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity and natural gas, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) as it is conducting a consultancy study to examine the feasibility of introducing buses and other heavy duty vehicles using natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, of the progress of the study;
(b) of the current number of buses in Hong Kong powered by fuels other than diesel;
(c) whether it has discussed with franchised bus companies to encourage them to introduce buses which run on natural gas or electricity; if it has, of the details; and
(d) whether, when replacing vehicles of the government fleet, it will consider purchasing vehicles powered by fuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen, electricity and natural gas; if it will, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In March 2007, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department commenced a study on the technical feasibility of introducing buses and other heavy vehicles powered by natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The study covers the environmental benefits of using these vehicles, the availability of suitable vehicle models, the supply of fuels, the infrastructural requirements (e.g. filling facility and vehicle repair facility requirements) and the additional risks due to introducing these vehicles into Hong Kong. The study is expected to complete in early 2008.
(b) As at the end of October this year, there were 2662 light buses powered by LPG and one light bus powered by electricity in Hong Kong. The other buses are all powered by diesel.
(c) As mentioned above, the study on the technical feasibility of introducing natural gas and LPG buses has not yet completed. Based on the findings of the study, the Government will assess the technical feasibility of introducing these buses, the impacts on operation and cost, the performances of these buses in the local environment, the repair and ancillary facility requirements etc, before deciding on whether the matter should be further pursued with the franchised bus companies.
With regard to electric vehicles, at present the existing technology available in the world mainly applies to light vehicles such as private cars and vans. Given the limited battery capacity of these vehicles, the driving distance supported by each recharge falls short of the market requirement. Therefore, these vehicles are not commonly used around the world. As for heavy vehicles (including buses and goods vehicles), the required technology for developing the electric models and battery have not yet been developed successfully in other countries.
(d) The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has been working with other relevant departments to actively study the feasibility of using cleaner motor vehicle fuels such as natural gas, LPG and electricity in Hong Kong. Factors to be considered include the environmental benefits of using these motor vehicle fuels, the supply of such fuels, the infrastructural requirements, the availability of suitable vehicle models and vehicle repair facilities. The Government will make reference to the relevant findings of the above study on the technical feasibility of introducing buses powered by natural gas and LPG, which is expected to complete in early 2008. According to the current policy, the Government will consider purchasing these vehicles when its existing ones are due for replacement, having regard to the operational needs of the departments concerned and the cost-effectiveness. In fact, for vehicles powered by gaseous fuels, the Government has been gradually replacing the diesel light buses of its fleet with LPG models since 2002. At present, there are 214 LPG light buses in the government fleet, which account for 69% of the total number of government light buses.
EPD is looking into the development of a set of specifications for biodiesel. The Government will consider using biodiesel in the diesel vehicles of its fleet when there is extensive supply of this fuel on the market and after the vehicle manufacturers have confirmed that biodiesel is suitable for use by these vehicles.
Although the technology for vehicles powered by alternative fuels such as hydrogen and electricity has yet to mature, the Government will continue to closely monitor the latest development and consider the introduction of electric vehicles into its fleet wherever practicable in the future.
Ends/Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:42
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