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The Road Traffic (Expressway) (Amendment) Regulation 2012 and the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulation 2012 will take effect on Friday (June 29) to allow the use of certain types of electric vehicles (EVs) on expressways without having to obtain expressway permits.
Under the existing law, registered owners of an EV must apply to the Commissioner for Transport (the Commissioner) for an expressway permit before he or she can drive the vehicle on expressways.
A spokesman for the Transport and Housing Bureau said the above regulations were aimed to facilitate the policy of promoting the use of EVs in Hong Kong.
Under the new regulations, for EVs solely propelled by electric motors, if they are electric private cars with rated power equal to or greater than 7 kilowatts (kW), or electric motor cycles or electric motor tricycles with rated power equal to or greater than 3 kW, they are permitted to run on expressways without having to obtain expressway permits.
In addition, the Road Traffic (Parking) (Amendment) Regulation 2012 will also take effect on the same day to allow disabled persons holding probationary driving licences (PDL) to apply for disabled person's parking permit (DPPP).
Under the existing law, a disabled person holding a full driving licence or a learner's driving licence may apply to the Commissioner for a DPPP.
The Spokesman said the Government considered disabled persons holding PDL should also be eligible to apply for a DPPP and enjoy the relevant parking concessions.
After the newly made regulation takes effect, disabled persons holding PDL may apply for a DPPP. Holders of a DPPP enjoy a number of parking concessions, which include using parking spaces which are designated for disabled persons issued with a DPPP for free, waiving of fees at metered parking spaces, a 50 per cent discount on parking fees at Government car parks managed by the Transport Department, and more.
Ends/Thursday, June 28, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:30
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