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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 1) announced the approval of the sixth batch of applications for the trial of green transport technologies under the Pilot Green Transport Fund, including the first batch of wheelchair accessible electric taxis.
The 12 newly approved applications include the trial of nine wheelchair accessible electric taxis and seven electric light goods vehicles. The total subsidy involved is about $12 million. The applications were from:
Biocycle (Hong Kong) Limited
Chief Asia Group Limited
China-Hong Kong Passenger Services Co. Limited
Chun Dak Engineering (HK-Macau) Company Limited
Cinpek Engineering Limited
CM Geotechnics Limited
Fanling Motors Company Limited
Gate Gourmet Hong Kong, Limited
Ip Yiu Kwan
Kwok Kin Air Condition and Electrical Work Company Limited
Tai Po Motors Company
Wai Kit Trading International Limited
The Steering Committee of the Fund supported the above applications after its meeting in January.
This brings the total number of trials under the Fund to 44 for testing out 14 electric taxis, 11 electric buses, 18 electric goods vehicles, 24 hybrid goods vehicles and 12 hybrid light buses, involving a total subsidy of about $76 million.
At present, four electric goods vehicles and 14 hybrid goods vehicles approved by the Fund are on trial by various transport operators. An interim report on the trial of electric vans for courier services by TNT Express Worldwide (HK) Limited is now available on the EPD's website for reference by the transport trade and the public.
The Government set up the $300 million Fund in March 2011 to encourage the public transport sector to test green transport technologies. The Fund is open for applications from public transport operators, charitable and non-profit organisations providing services to their clients, and goods vehicle owners. The technologies for trial include new vehicle types, equipment and machinery related to transport activities. A transport operator may apply to the Fund to try out different green products subject to a maximum subsidy of $9 million for each application and $12 million in total.
For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.
Ends/Friday, March 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 16:01
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