The government has promoted electric vehicles in recent years, and KMB's new-generation domestic BYD single-deck electric bus was put into service in April this year.
Two months later, KMB said that the electric buses were operating very smoothly, and they were confident in this. They decided to stop purchasing traditional diesel buses. It was believed that the entire fleet could fully adopt new energy buses in 2040, 10 years earlier than the original target. Achieved, and it is expected that the first hydrogen bus will be purchased in three years.
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KMB held a media tea party last week to talk about the latest trends in the introduction of new energy buses to the fleet.
KMB Assistant Director (Strategic Planning) Liang Lingyan said that BYD's single-deck electric buses have been running for two months, and all 16 buses have been put into service, and the operation is very smooth. Also positive, it performs well even on mountain roads.
The new diesel buses arriving in Hong Kong this year are the last batch of the fleet
KMB Assistant Director (Communications) Lam Tze-ho continued to point out that the performance of the electric buses "gives us a lot of confidence". Unless the electric bus facilities such as charging equipment fail to cooperate, KMB will stop purchasing traditional diesel buses. In 2040, the entire fleet will be upgraded to new energy buses.
Leung added that according to the existing regulations, a franchised bus has a lifespan of 18 years. Last year, KMB purchased a batch of diesel buses, and this year they will be licensed in Hong Kong one after another, and the 18-year period will be reached by 2040.
In other words, this batch of buses may be the last batch of diesel buses purchased by KMB.
KMB Assistant Director (Strategic Planning) Leung Lingyan (left), KMB Assistant Director (Communications) Lam Tze Ho (right) (Photo by Wong Wai Lun)
Talking about the charging equipment, Leung Lingyan pointed out that the current Kowloon Bay Depot has been in operation for about 30 years, and the electricity itself is only for daily needs. To charge more electric buses, a larger transformer needs to be installed.
He also pointed out that by 2025, KMB will have 500 electric buses, mainly relying on the charging support of the existing factories.
In addition, KMB has recently applied to the Town Planning Board to build an electric bus depot in Tuen Mun.
KMB has purchased double-decker electric buses from BYD and Alexander Dennis in the UK
Citybus recently purchased the first domestically-made Viston double-decker electric bus in Hong Kong and put it into service a few days ago.
Liang Lingyan said that it has purchased 42 and 10 electric double-decker buses from two bus manufacturers, BYD and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), respectively, which are expected to be delivered next year.
Liang Lingyan said that with the maturity of battery technology, the two double-decker electric buses have a cruising range of more than 300 kilometers, which is 100 kilometers longer than the existing single-deck electric buses. Electric buses, even if they switch to new energy vehicles, the proportion of single-deck and double-decker buses will be similar to the current one.
KMB earlier released a design drawing of a BYD double-decker electric bus.
(File photo / provided by KMB)
Trial hydrogen bus after three years
In addition to electric buses, the Government previously mentioned in the Policy Address that it will pilot hydrogen buses with bus companies.
Liang Lingyan said that he is paying attention to hydrogen energy buses from different manufacturers. For example, Liverpool, England, is trialing ADL's double-decker hydrogen energy buses. If the performance meets the requirements, they can also consider purchasing.
He also pointed out that there are many types of hydrogen and there are different sources. For example, gas contains hydrogen, so he is discussing with the gas company.
A double-decker hydrogen bus made by Alexander Dennis is now being piloted in Liverpool, England.
(Alexander Dennis webpage)
Citybus's first double-decker hydrogen bus has arrived in Hong Kong, but Leung Lingyan pointed out that it is expected that a large-scale test will be conducted in Hong Kong in three years.
Lin Zihao explained that it is not difficult to buy a car, but hydrogen is still not a legally recognized vehicle fuel, and it is also difficult to walk on the road. For the time being, the development of electric buses will be dealt with first.
However, he pointed out that hydrogen buses will outperform electric buses in long-distance performance.
Liang Lingyan also said that in the long run, the fleet will use a mixture of electric buses and hydrogen buses, but there is no specific ratio for the time being.
Multiple systems to prevent fire
There have been electric bus accidents in the Mainland in the past, and many problems have also occurred during the trials of electric buses in Hong Kong in the past.
Liang Lingyan said that the newly introduced electric bus has a battery management system and a water cooling system, which can monitor the status of the battery and manage its temperature. In case of overheating or even fire, there is a system to directly extinguish the fire, emphasizing that there are multiple systems to prevent accidents.
Asked whether the 2040 target was too aggressive just based on the performance of the electric bus for two months, Lam Tze-ho emphasized that the electric bus technology has made great strides, and the experience of the past two months has given KMB more confidence.
Liang Lingyan also pointed out that the manufacturer guarantees that the battery can maintain its function for 10 years, and if the performance does not meet the performance during the period, the manufacturer also promises to replace it.
He also pointed out that in the future, he will continue to purchase buses from all over the world.
KMB emphasized that the government plays an important role in the process of vehicle electrification in different cities and will fully cooperate with relevant government policies.
In addition, from time to time, some bus fans report that the air-conditioning of electric buses is weaker than that of diesel buses. Lam Tsz-ho pointed out that in fact, the two settings are the same. The temperature is 25.5 degrees Celsius in winter and 25 degrees Celsius when it is hot in summer.
He said that he will pay attention to the weather and find out if the temperature is suitable.
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