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The Government today (February 10) announced new efforts to foster closer collaboration with its partners in the community on the extension of charging network for electric vehicles (EVs).
"A well-developed charging network is vital to pave the way for the wider use of EVs in Hong Kong," the Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, said today after the third meeting of the Steering Committee on the Promotion of EVs. "Efforts by the power companies and the Government in launching standard and quick charging facilities is only a start. We need a strong collaborative front involving property developers, the property management sector and car park operators to further extend the charging network."
The Environment Bureau issued a new pamphlet to property managers and car park operators on the installation of EV charging facilities at local car parks. Technical guidelines on the installation of charging facilities have also been issued by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. They provide useful guidelines for property managers and car park operators who would like to make early preparation for the introduction of EVs, as vehicles would be available on the market very soon.
"The pamphlet provides our partners with the necessary knowledge and channel for the setting up of charging facilities at car parks," Mr Tsang said. The pamphlet and the technical guidelines are available at the websites of the Environment Bureau and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
Both CLP Power and Hongkong Electric have launched standard charging facilities since late 2009. They expect that about 30 charging stations would be up and running by mid-2010. CLP Power also launched the first EV quick charger in Hong Kong on February 1. The Government has already set up charging stations at nine Government premises and is planning to set up another batch of over 20 charging stations by mid-2010.
The steering committee was also briefed at today's meeting by representatives from Alexander Dennis Limited, Media Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as Ir Prof James Chan Ching-chuen, on the latest development regarding EV and hybrid vehicles.
Ends/Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:58
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