The government of Hong Kong is preparing to enhance the accessibility of electric vehicle charging facilities by introducing additional quick boost technology. Lawmakers have announced that 40 petrol stations have agreed to install a total of 100 quick chargers by March of next year. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to promote the use of electric vehicles and work towards achieving carbon neutrality by the year 2050.
Incentives, such as preferential terms for land lease extensions and waivers on land premium costs for lease modifications covering quick chargers, have been offered by the government to operators. According to Tse Chin-wan, the Secretary for the Environment and Ecology, the government has called for detailed design proposals for 98 sites, which involve over 200 chargers. The installation of approximately 100 quick chargers will be completed within the 2024-25 financial year at around 40 existing petrol filling stations.
As of the end of last month, there were a total of 8,056 e-vehicle chargers for public use in Hong Kong, comprising 4,662 medium chargers and 1,397 quick chargers. The government is also considering the installation of charging facilities at public parking spaces in the future to further accommodate electric car owners.
During a recent meeting, lawmakers expressed their satisfaction with the progress of the government scheme. There is a growing appeal for the government to relax the rules and allow the operation of small coffee shops or casual restaurants in charging stations, providing drivers with an opportunity to relax or pass the time while waiting for their cars to charge.
The government is also inviting tenders for the conversion of two disused petrol stations in Kowloon Bay and Sha Tin into quick charging stations, which are expected to provide more than 20 quick chargers between them.
In addition to the developments in the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, lawmakers were briefed on the management work at the recently opened Robin’s Nest Country Park, covering 530 acres in the Sha Tau Kok border area. This park is situated on ridges stretching from the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is working with its Shenzhen counterpart to create a joint plan aimed at enhancing ecological connectivity between the two areas.
The upcoming increase in the number of quick chargers at petrol stations and the potential expansion of charging facilities in public parking spaces reflect the Hong Kong government’s dedication to promoting the use of electric vehicles in the region. These efforts will undoubtedly contribute to the realization of a greener and more sustainable transport sector in Hong Kong.