40th Batch Of Applications Approved For Trials Of Green Innovative Transport Technologies Under New Energy Transport Fund

40th batch of applications approved for trials of green innovative transport technologies under New Energy Transport Fund

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     The Environment and Ecology Bureau today (December 12) announced its approval of the 40th batch of applications for the trials of green innovative transport technologies under the New Energy Transport Fund.



     The 21 newly approved applications (see Annex) are for the trials of 10 electric taxis, six electric light goods vehicles, four electric medium goods vehicles and 12 electric single-deck buses, involving a total subsidy of about $27.9 million.



     To date, the latest approval brings the total number of trials being pursued under the Fund to 325 with the total subsidy amount of about $276 million. As at end-November 2023, a total of 171 approved trials under the Fund have been completed. Trial reports have been uploaded onto the Fund’s website.



     In view of the maturity in the development of electric light goods vehicles (van type), the Steering Committee of the Fund has discussed its way forward. After fully considering factors such as the number of the vehicles approved for trial under the Fund and the findings, the models available in the market and vehicle prices, the Steering Committee of the Fund confirmed to cease the trials for application for electric light goods vehicles (van type) after December 31, 2023. Moreover, the charging fee for the trial projects on e-taxi charging mode was also discussed by the Committee and members have provided valuable comments on the effectiveness and sustainability of operating the trial projects on electric taxis. The New Energy Transport Fund Secretariat will follow up with a view to finalising and announcing the proposal details in due course.



     The Government has put in place the Fund since March 2011 to subsidise the testing and encourage wider use of green innovative transport technologies for a variety of commercial transport tools including goods vehicles (including special purpose vehicles), taxis, light buses, buses, vessels, motorcycles, non-road vehicles (applicable to vehicle models approved by the Transport Department or the Airport Authority Hong Kong), or the aforesaid transport tools of charitable/non-profit making organisations providing services to their clients. The technologies to be subsidised include new energy vehicles or vessels, conversion of in-use conventional vehicles or vessels to new energy vehicles or vessels, and after-treatment emission reduction devices or fuel saving devices applicable to vehicles and vessels. Transport operators and charitable/non-profit making organisations may apply for trying out different green technology products subject to a maximum subsidy of $10 million for each application and a total of $12 million for each applicant.



     For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the website of the Fund (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/new-energy-transport-fund.html) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.