Ninth batch of applications approved under Pilot Green Transport Fund
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     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (February 18) announced the approval of the ninth batch of applications for the trial of green transport technologies under the Pilot Green Transport Fund.

     The 15 newly approved applications include the trial of 10 electric taxis, three electric light goods vehicles, 13 hybrid goods vehicles and retrofitting the engines of four buses involving a total subsidy of about $10.7 million. The applications were from:
 
Cathay Pacific Catering Services (HK) Limited
China Prosper Engineering Limited
E. Tech Management (HK) Limited
Forest (Asia) Limited
Hong Kong Automobile Association
Jet Profit (HK) Investments Limited
Taxixchange.com Limited
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited
Union Investment Holdings Limited
Union Winner Limited
Vegetable Marketing Organization
Welcome Construction Company Limited
Yellow Taxi Group Limited

     The Steering Committee of the Fund agreed to support the above applications at its meeting in January.

     This brings the total number of trials under the Fund to 73 for the testing of 24 electric taxis, two electric light buses, 11 electric buses, 35 electric goods vehicles, 41 hybrid goods vehicles, 12 hybrid light buses, the retrofitting of four bus engines and others amounting to a total subsidy of about $93 million.

     At present, one hybrid public light bus, one electric taxi, two electric buses, 16 electric goods vehicles and 24 hybrid goods vehicles subsidised by the Fund are being tested by various transport operators. Several interim reports of their trials have already been uploaded to the Fund's website for public information.

     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 clients, and goods vehicle owners. The technologies for trial include new vehicle types and equipment and machinery related to transport activities. Transport operators 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/Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:01

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