Pilot Scheme for Electric Public Light Buses accepts applications

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 27) announced that the Pilot Scheme for Electric Public Light Buses is open now for applications until November 17. 

     To promote the local application of electric public light buses (e-PLBs), the Government has earmarked $80 million for the implementation of the Pilot Scheme to test the operation and performance of different models of e-PLB and the associated quick charging facilities, as well as conducting operational trials on various minibus service routes.
 
     "The operational trials will be conducted in phases starting with Kowloon Tong (Suffolk Road) and Yue Man Square Public Transport Interchanges as trial points. It is expected that approval will be granted to all successful applications by December 2023 with a view to commencing the trial in the first quarter of 2024. Operators of relevant green minibuses interested in taking part in the Pilot Scheme should submit their applications to the EPD before the deadline," an EPD spokesperson said.

     The spokesperson added that to encourage operators to participate in the Pilot Scheme, the Government will subsidise successful operators with 80 per cent of the vehicle price for each e-PLB joining the Pilot Scheme. Details about the Pilot Scheme and its application can be found on the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/guide_ref/pseplb.html).
 
     The Government launched the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles in March 2021, setting out the long-term policy objectives and plans to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and their associated supporting facilities in Hong Kong with a view to achieving the target of zero vehicular emissions before 2050. These include partnering with different sectors to actively test the applications of various electric and other new energy public transport, including e-PLBs, to accumulate experiences for establishing specific roadmap and timetable for the promotion of electric commercial vehicles.