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Following is a question by the Hon Chan Hak-kan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (May 15):
Question:
In his 2009-2010 Policy Address, the former Chief Executive mentioned the promotion of the use of electric vehicles so that Hong Kong "will rank second in Asia, after Japan, where electric vehicles are most widely used". It has been reported recently by the media that some companies are planning to introduce electric taxis to Hong Kong. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) among the private cars, taxis, public light buses (PLBs) and franchised buses currently registered in Hong Kong, of the respective numbers and percentages of those which are electric and hybrid vehicles;
(b) whether the Government has plans to gradually introduce electric taxis, PLBs and franchised buses in order to alleviate roadside pollution; if so, of the details;
(c) whether it has assessed the ancillary facilities required upon a comprehensive switch of taxis, PLBs and franchised buses to electric ones; whether it will consider installing charging facilities at metered parking spaces; and
(d) of the respective numbers of electric and hybrid vehicles currently used by the Government; whether the Government has set a target on the number of electric vehicles to be introduced to its fleet; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
(a) As at end of April 2013, there were 443 electric vehicles in Hong Kong, including 354 private cars, 56 motorcycles, 25 goods vehicles, five light buses and three buses (one of which was franchised bus). There was no electric taxi and electric public light bus. Compared with some 700,000 vehicles currently registered in Hong Kong, the use of electric vehicles is still at a very preliminary stage, and they only account for a very small percentage of the current number of vehicles. With the introduction of different types of electric vehicles by more vehicle suppliers, the numbers and types of local electric vehicles will increase accordingly.
Currently, the Transport Department only compiles statistics on vehicles by their fuel types. Therefore, we do not have statistics on registered hybrid vehicles.
(b) and (c) To boost the confidence of public transport operators in the use of electric vehicles, the Government set up a $300 million "Pilot Green Transport Fund" (the Fund) in March 2011. One of the objectives is to encourage the public transport trade to conduct trials on electric taxis, light buses and buses with the subsidy of the Fund. Successful applicants are required to share the trial results with the trade in future for the purpose of promotion. As at April 2013, the Fund has approved 28 applications in connection with electric vehicles with a total subsidy of about $55 million. They included trials on 14 electric taxis, 11 electric coaches and 18 electric goods vehicles. No applicant has applied to use electric light buses so far. We expect that the trial on electric coaches and electric taxis will commence in the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2013 respectively. The Fund will also subsidise the installation of charging facilities, as applicants have to install such facilities to meet their operational needs.
In addition, it is the Government's ultimate policy objective to have zero emission buses running across the territory. To achieve this objective, the Government has allocated $180 million to fund the full cost of procuring 36 electric buses and associated charging facilities for trial by five franchised bus companies so as to test the operational efficiency and performance of these vehicles in local conditions. The franchised bus companies are preparing to procure electric buses and associated charging facilities. It is expected that the trial will commence by the end of 2014.
As whether electric vehicles can meet the operational needs of taxis, light buses and buses are subject to the trial results, the Government will study how to promote the use of electric taxis, light buses and buses (including relevant charging facilities). Due to the different types and models of commercial electric vehicles, their relevant charging facilities and operational modes are different. Hence, it is not suitable to change the existing public metered parking spaces for use by electric commercial vehicles exclusively at this stage.
(d) Currently there are 75 electric vehicles of different models in the Government fleet. Some 150 additional vehicles will be delivered to various departments for use within this year. At present there are 380 hybrid vehicles. The Government will actively monitor the supply of electric vehicle models in the market, and will try the best to take the lead in using more electric vehicles in meeting the operational needs of departments.
Ends/Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:17
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