Hong Kong has electric taxi applications approved

Date: 24/7/2012

Five applications to trial electric taxis and electric buses in Hong Kong have been approved by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

The companies involved in the initiative are Discovery Bay Transit Services Limited, Kam Tsang Taxi Company, Lai Sun Motors Company Limited, Shu Sang Taxi Company and Sunny Engineering Company.

A subsidy of HK$11 million (£0.9 million) has been allocated to the scheme from the Pilot Green Transport Fund which was set up last year.

The HK$300 million fund was established as a way to facilitate testing of new green technologies in the public transport industry.

So far 35 applications have been approved with HK$84 million of the fund assigned to them to help the population travel around in low carbon vehicles.

This translates into five electric taxis, 19 electric buses, 12 electric goods vehicles, 24 hybrid goods vehicles and eight hybrid light buses.

All types of public transport operator from bus providers to ferry services are eligible to apply for a portion of the fund, as are charitable and non-profit organisations.

Each application can be awarded HK$9 million or HK$12 million for those submitting it as a collaborative effort.

Vehicles, equipment and machinery all associated with public transport can be trialled under the scheme with the option of retrofitting current systems also available.

Since 17 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong come from motor vehicles it is seen as an area where much improvement can be made.

As well as improving the local air quality and preventing climate change it is hoped that companies will be take the opportunity as a way to improve business.

Electric vehicles represent a green alternative to traditional petrol fuelled cars as long as the energy generated to power them comes from a renewable source.

This has led to them and hybrid cars being seen as a viable transport option moving forward.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News