Government announces Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles

The Government today (March 17) announced the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles, setting out the long-term policy objectives and plans to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and their associated supporting facilities in Hong Kong.

Announcing the Roadmap today, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said, “We have formulated our first Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of EVs, which will guide Hong Kong’s future direction to attain zero vehicular emissions before 2050. This acts in concert with our other target to strive for carbon neutrality in the same time frame, and forges ahead with the vision of ‘Zero Carbon Emissions‧Clean Air‧Smart City’.”

The key measures under the Roadmap cover various aspects:

Electric private cars
No new registration of fuel-propelled private cars including hybrid vehicles in 2035 or earlier

Electric commercial vehicles
Promote trials for electric public transport and commercial vehicles including buses, public light buses, taxis and goods vehicles, with a view to setting a concrete way forward and a timetable around 2025

Charging network
Expand the EV charging network on all fronts and marketise charging services progressively

Maintenance services
Promote education and training for technicians and mechanics on EV maintenance

Battery recycling
Strive to legislate a producer responsibility scheme for retired EV batteries in the next few years, and promote green technologies of second-life applications of EV batteries

Innovation and co-operation
Multi-pronged approach to create a conducive environment for the popularisation of EVs. This includes establishing a task force to examine the high-end development of new decarbonisation technology globally, the $200 million Green Tech Fund to fund the research and development of green technologies, making good use of development in technologies including the Internet of Things, big data and artificial intelligence, and seizing opportunities to be brought about by the EV technological development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, etc

“As EV technologies are rapidly evolving, we will review the various strategies and targets of the Roadmap around every five years. Taking into account new technological, environmental, social and economic development and situations, we will adjust in time Hong Kong’s policies and measures in promoting EVs, ensuring that we keep up with the times,” Mr Wong said.

Mr Wong expressed sincere gratitude to different stakeholders for sharing their views on the directions and measures to be included in the Roadmap in the past year, especially the members of the Steering Committee on the Promotion of Electric Vehicles led by the Financial Secretary, who have provided much valuable advice on the strategies and measures regarding the popularisation of EVs. Looking ahead, the Government will continue to collaborate with different sectors in society to drive the popularisation of EVs, making Hong Kong a liveable, green and smart city.

The Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles and its leaflet are available on the Environmental Protection Department website.