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Written by: Lao Minyi's Golden Chess
2021-04-05 00:00
Last update date: 2021-04-05 00:00
Hong Kong’s first "Roadmap for the Popularization of Electric Vehicles" was released last month. The goal is to achieve zero-emission and carbon-neutral vehicles by 2050. However, for electric public transport and commercial vehicles, it will take four more years. A more specific implementation direction and timetable will not be formulated until 2025, and the current measures are still at the "pilot plan" stage.
The "Roadmap" refers to the fact that most electric commercial vehicles in the world are still in the early stages of development and have not yet been able to widely cooperate with mainstream commercial operations. But when can electric buses be achieved and the air on the roads become cleaner?
In an interview, Secretary for the Environment Huang Jinxing believed that the authorities have set clear goals and there are different ways to encourage bus companies to introduce electric bus trials. Only when more types of vehicles are introduced, the charging network is improved, and more local experience is accumulated, can the implementation be more concrete.
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▼Measures related to electric commercial vehicles in the "Roadmap"▼
The Environment Bureau has set the goal of suspending new registration of fuel-fueled private cars by 2035 or before in the "Road Map".
Huang Jinxing pointed out that vehicles account for 40% of domestic carbon emissions, "all figures are not detailed." In addition to the relatively mature electric private car technology, this roadmap has set clear goals; on the contrary, the application of electric commercial vehicles is still challenging.
He believes that achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is already a specific goal. After accumulating local experience in the next few years, "the next time we can make a more specific commercial vehicle transformation."
As early as 2011, the government set up the "Green Transportation Pilot Fund" (later renamed the "New Energy Transportation Fund") to subsidize the transportation industry and charitable/non-profit organizations to test green innovative transportation technologies. It invested 1.1 billion yuan before and after it was approved as of last month. There are 210 pilot projects with a funding amount of about 166 million yuan. However, the proportion of electric public transportation or commercial vehicles in Hong Kong has not been significantly increased after many years of trials.
Huang Jinxing: Well, every test of the conversation is a success
Huang Jinxing took buses as an example. More than 95% of franchised buses in Hong Kong are double-decker buses. The types of vehicles used in Hong Kong are not commonly used in other regions. The fund has allocated funding for bus companies to test electric double-decker buses in Hong Kong.
He believes that to promote the popularization of new energy vehicles, it depends on the supply of vehicle types and the development of charging networks.
Regarding the failure of the electric taxi test, it was eventually reduced to scrap metal and left the field. "Well, every test is a success. Everyone should positively encourage you not to try the same... Corresponding package".
The "Roadmap" also revealed that the government is working with the taxi industry to study and test the operation of electric taxis and the performance of various models. The initial tendency is to precede Lantau and Sai Kung. The two taxis operate in more concentrated areas and conduct a focus range test.
At the same time, different government departments are cooperating to find suitable locations in the two districts, to set up fast charging facilities for electric taxis, and to assist the taxi industry in finding feasible operating models and electric vehicle models.
The Environment Bureau has decided to stop new registration of fuel-fueled private cars by 2035.
(Data Picture / Photo by Yu Junliang)
Old housing estates can also be "EV Ready"
To encourage the installation of charging equipment in private parking spaces, the government has launched the $2 billion "Easily Charging Fund for EV Housing Estates". At present, more than 260 housing estates have submitted applications, involving more than 70,000 parking spaces, of which more than 30 housing estates have The application has been supported in principle.
Huang Jinxing said that at first he was worried that the old housing estates would need more funds to upgrade the power supply installations. However, after the initial "check-up" by the two power companies, it was found that all the installations were "EV Ready" without the need for large-scale upgrades. Misunderstanding may be too worrying."
When asked whether the subsidy would be "increased", he pointed out that he must first gain practical experience and understand the expenditures required under the current situation.
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