The Environment and Ecology Bureau today (July 10) announced its approval of the 39th batch of applications for the trials of green innovative transport technologies under the New Energy Transport Fund.
The 14 newly approved applications (see Annex) are for the trials of 18 electric taxis and one electric light goods vehicle, involving a total subsidy of about $4.22 million.
To date, the latest approval brings the total number of trials being pursued under the Fund to 314, with a total subsidy amount of about $258 million. As at end-May, a total of 155 approved trials under the Fund have been completed. Trial reports are uploaded onto the Fund's website.
Furthermore, to promote wider adoption of electric taxis (e-taxis) and support the taxi trade to identify a charging option that is most suitable for their operation, the Steering Committee of the Fund has also discussed the proposal to create a new category of trial, namely Trial Projects on E-taxis Charging Mode. The subsidy ceiling for each project would be $20 million, or 75 per cent of the total project cost (whichever is lower). The subsidy would cover the cost of charging and energy storage-related hardware, installation, eligible electrics and construction. Trials would subsidise the setting up of dedicated e-taxis quick charging facilities and mobile charging systems.
Members have given useful comments on various aspects of the subsidy framework, such as the eligibility to be an applicant, the attractiveness of the subsidy, technical standards of the charging equipment, etc. The New Energy Transport Fund Secretariat is following up with a view to finalising and announcing the proposal details as soon as practicable.
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.
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