The adoption of electric vehicles in Hong Kong is actively supported by the Hong Kong government, which recognizes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and conventional hybrid electric vehicles to be environmentally friendly and eligible for financial incentives. As of 31 October 2017, there were 11,039 electric vehicles in Hong Kong, up from less than 100 in 2010. At present, 73 EV models from eight countries have been approved by the Transport Department to be eligible for the incentives. These include 51 models for private cars and motorcycles and 22 models for public transport and commercial vehicles.

Current electric vehicle policy In March 1994, the government waived the First Registration Tax for EVs. The tax was extended several times, and the most recent extension lasted until March 2017. However, EVs are yet to be popular in Hong Kong. Since the 2009–10 Policy Address, a series of schemes and policies have been implemented by the government to actively promote and encourage the use of EVs. In order to coordinate the work in promoting EVs, the Steering Committee on the Promotion of Electric Vehicles was established in April 2012. The committee is chaired by the Financial Secretary with two-year terms, along with 16 other members who represent government departments and the private sector.Legislative Council. (2012). Information note on the use of electric vehicles. The government's aim is to have zero emission buses running across the territory. The government allocated $180 million to purchase 36 single-deck electric buses, which includes 28 battery-electric buses and 8 super-capacitor buses. 18 battery-electric buses and 2 super-capacitor buses have commenced operation. Most of the remaining electric buses were expected to be put into service progressively in late 2017 or early 2018.

Reasons for the promotion of electric vehicles Environmental aspect In 2014, the Hong Kong Emission Inventory Report indicated that the road transport sector was the largest local air pollution source; 60% of carbon monoxide emissions came from transportation. The replacement of gasoline with electricity in EVs improves the air quality in cities, since carbon emissions are reduced. Along with minimising various pollution problems and lowering the risk of respiratory illnesses, noises and vibrations are also eliminated since EVs do not use chemical combustions.Rinkesh. (2014, May 7). Advantages and disadvantages of electric cars - conserve energy future. Retrieved November 6, 2016, from Energy Articles, http://www.conserve-energy- future.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electric-cars.php用家讚 Tesla 反應快夠寧靜. Retrieved November 6, 2016, from http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20150529/19164677 Under the assumption that the annual mileage is 20,000 km and consideration over the emissions from generations, the estimated amount of carbon dioxide emitted is around 1,880 kg, 33% and 47% less than that of hybrid cars and petrol vehicles respectively.Chan, Edmond, CLP Hong Kong. 發展電動車充電設施及推動電動車普及化 Developing EV Charging Infrastructure & Facilitate Wider Adoption of EV in HK. n.p., 2012.

Economic aspect EVs have a higher energy efficiency than traditional petrol vehicles, allowing 80% of input energy to be converted into usable power, which is a 15%–20% improvement than the latter. With technological advancements, EVs have a higher battery capacity that allows 100 km of traveling distance after a single charge, far higher than the original 40 km in early development. By comparing EVs with petrol vehicles over the energy cost, the price of the latter is around 13.6 times higher in the case from Tuen Mun to Mong Kok (30 km; HKD4.7:HKD36.7).Walden, V. (2016). Government to promote the use of electric cars. Retrieved November 6, 2016 The 2011–12 Financial Budget highlighted that the value brought by the green development increased by 12.4% with the 3.6% surge of employees.LCQ14: Electric vehicles. (2013, November 27). Retrieved November 6, 2016 With an emphasis on a green economy and smart cities in the 2015–16 Financial Budget, the government believed that the high cost-effectiveness of EVs allowed creation of businesses and employment opportunities like the complementary accessories of EVs and R&D for further scientific innovations in the ever-expanding market.Hong Kong Free Press. (2016, February 24). LIVE: The 2016 Hong Kong budget. Retrieved November 6, 2016, from Hong Kong

Current figures

In 2009, 28 local EVs were registered; as of 30 April 2016, 5,042 EVs (4,899 were private vehicles) were registered for road use.LCQ18: Charging Facilities for Electric Vehicles. June 22, 2016. Accessed October 31, 2016. In October 2017, there were 11,039 EVs for road use, up from less than 100 at the end of 2010. As of 2017, 73 EV models from eight countries have been type-approved by the Transport Department. These include 51 models for private cars and motorcycles and 22 models for public transport and commercial vehicles. There is a 3% growth in new EV registrations, which is higher than other developed automobile markets.Electric Cars Are Starting to Charge Ahead in Hong Kong. October 24, 2016. South China Morning Post. Accessed October 31, 2016. From January to May 2015, more than 1,110 longer-range models of Tesla EVs were sold, accounting for nearly 95% in the EV market.Wong, G. (2016, October 29). Can electric vehicles ever really meet Hong Kong’s transport needs? Retrieved November 6, 2016

As of the end of June 2023, the total is 60,943 EVs. At present, 240 EV models from 16 economies have been type-approved by the Transport Department. These include 187 models for private cars and motorcycles and 53 models for public transport and commercial vehicles.

Over 1,300 public chargers are spread throughout all 18 local districts, whereas one public charger is available for use by four EVs on average. 921 chargers are standard, 239 are medium, 15 are CHAdeMO quick chargers and 145 are quick chargers with transferable charging standards. The chargers can fully charge an EV within 30 minutes, compared to 8 hours previously. The government and other stakeholders are determined to enhance the charging efficiency of these public charging infrastructures through various ongoing infrastructure-led collaborations. For example, Charge Hong Kong, a non-profit organization, is working to increase charging facilities in public areas and upgrade the existing public standard chargers to the medium or multi-standard quick type.

Under the Pilot Green Transport Fund, 92 EVs were included for trial under a total subsidy of around $96 million in total.For discussion on 21 July 2015 Legislative Council Panel On Environmental Affairs progress report on the pilot green transport fund. (2015).What we do. (2016). Retrieved November 6, 2016 The two models of electric vans as interim trial reflected that 50–80% of the fuel costs were saved with no negative and uncertain outcomes in terms of their batteries and performance. These reflected that EVs are compatible with local operating conditions with huge green innovative development potentials in the future.

Promotion The government is committed to promoting the use of EVs within different sectors of society. A number of favourable measures have been adopted to boost the use of EVs.

Economic incentives Economic incentives have lowered the overall cost of EVs and encouraged their use. An exemption of the first registration tax on EVs was introduced in 1997 to promote the use of greener vehicles.Kwan, W. S. (2011). Analysing the potential of electric vehicles in improving the air quality of Hong Kong. HKU Theses Online (HKUTO). The financial secretary extended the waiver of the first registration tax in the 2009 budget, which lasted until the end of March 2017.Tsang, C. W. J. (25 February 2009). The 2009-10 Budget. Budget Speech. Hong Kong Financial Secretary’s Office. Moreover, enterprises purchasing EVs will enjoy another tax deduction, which is a full “profits tax reduction for the capital expenditure on the EVs in the first year of procurement”.

Financial support To encourage the public transport sector to use EVs, the government offered the industry some financial assistance programs, such as the “Pilot Green Transport Fund”.Please refer to the above section Development Progress of Electric Vehicles(See the above section.) The fund targets public transport service providers and attracts them to use innovative and green technologies for trial. Other financial assistance have been put in place, such as the one-off grant to PLB owners and the allocation of $180 million HKD for franchised bus runners to purchase electric buses. The former aims to upgrade PLB emission standard to that of EV, while the latter serves to test the use of EVs and promote the use of EVs.

Infrastructure and technical support The government has dedicated itself to increasing the number of charging sockets,CLP. (2012). CLP Extends Free Vehicle Charging through 2013. as well as to collaborating with EV manufacturing firms to develop more advanced charging facilities. Apart from infrastructure support, the government has also issued a set of guidelines on the safe use of EV chargers and provides hotline service for information and technical support.Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. (2015). Technical Guidelines on Charging Facilities for Electric Vehicles.

Promotional activity In an effort to promote the use of EVs in Hong Kong, the government provides a range of support, ranging from introducing preferential policies to holding promotional activities. The government prioritizes replacing government vehicles with EVs. In 2013, it was estimated that over 200 government vehicles were EVs.Press Releases. (27 November 2013). LCQ 14: Electric Vehicles. The government also helps organize the FIA Formula E Championship, an event to encourage public interest in EVs.News Government. (9 October 2016). HK ePrix showcases Asia’s world city.

Criticism Chargers As of April 2016, there were 1,320 public chargers in Hong Kong, distributed unequally in different territories. There were nearly 500 public chargers in Hong Kong Island, whereas fewer than 400 in New Territories and Island Districts, which cover the most area of Hong Kong (see Diagram 1 below). Therefore, the insufficiency of chargers in rural areas is a great concern to some EV drivers.Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre. (October 20, 2014). 電動車普及的障礙. Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre. Some drivers opined that it is not ideal to rely on public chargers, in particular when one could hardly find a parking space in Hong Kong.Ng, N. (2016, October 20). Electric cars on the rise in Hong Kong but building management are failing to plug a home-charging gap. SCMP. Some even complained that the public parking space for EVs are often occupied by non-EVs. Diagram 1. The Number of Chargers for EV in Hong Kong as at April 2016Region/Speed of ChargerStandardMediumQuickTotalHong Kong Island3599047496Kowloon3156846429New Territories and Island Districts24781673951320 Another criticism is the formidability for individuals to install chargers in private car parks. The installation of chargers in private buildings has to undergo an array of procedures. According to the guidelines from the government, individual owners of EVs have to consult the owner of the car park space, the dealer of the EV, the property management company and the registered electrical contractor.裝電動車充電設施 邱騰華籲法團配合 - 香港文匯報 (2011, November 24). Wenweipo. Retrieved from http://paper.wenweipo.com/2011/11/24/HK1111240026.htm Apart from lowering the feasibility of charging the EV at work and at home, this also hinders the incentive of using EVs in the long run.Shay, C. (2011, February 21). Why electric cars Aren’t selling. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/hong-kong/2011/01/31/why-electric-cars-arent-selling/