Key Recommendation 2:
Transform Franchised Bus Fleet to Zero Emission

Current Status:

In Hong Kong, roadside air pollution has stayed doubled that of the WHO’s recommended safe level. Commercial vehicles and franchised buses account for over 90% of roadside air pollution [1]. Study [2] shows Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles (HDDV, buses and trucks) and Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles (LDGV, taxis and minibuses) account for over 40% of respiratory mortality and lung cancer among the population in Hong Kong due to Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emission.

Latest HKSAR Government data [3] shows that franchised buses account for nearly one fifth of key pollutants emission in Hong Kong including the Respirable Suspended Particulates (19%), Fine Suspended Particulates (19%), and Nitrogen Oxides (18%). General public are exposed to pollution emitted by buses at bus stops, public transport interchanges, roadsides and in-bus compartments.

CAN supports the Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government to publish the EV Roadmap (or the Roadmap on Popularization of Electric Vehicles) in Hong Kong by first quarter of 2021.

CAN also supports to HKSAR Government and operators to explore technological options with the aim to accelerate the transformation.

Recommendations:

2.1       We urge the Steering Committee on the Promotion of Electric Vehicles under the leadership of Financial Secretary should take full responsibility to formulate this EV Roadmap, as the very first Terms of Reference of this Steering Committee is “to recommend a strategy complementary with specific measures to promote the use of electric vehicles in Hong Kong…”.

2.2       Environment Bureau should continue to be the supporting arm of the Steering Committee to take the initiative of setting out the vision and timeline of the EV Roadmap, with the primary objectives to speed up the process for Hong Kong to achieve clean air (meeting World Health Organization’s recommended safe level) and decarbonization (meeting net zero carbon emission).

2.3       The EV Roadmap should put special emphasis on electrifying all commercial vehicles, including buses, freight vehicles, minibuses, taxis, in addition to private cars. In Hong Kong, commercial vehicles account for over 90% of roadside air pollution. Regional study showed that Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicles (HDDV) and Light Duty Gasoline Vehicles (LDGV) account for over 40% of respiratory mortality and lung cancer among population in Hong Kong due to NOx emission. From the perspective of maximizing public health gain, it is necessary to put more effort and resources on all commercial vehicles in the EV Roadmap.

2.4      As part of the EV Roadmap, there should be an EV Action Plan. In parallel to formulating the EV Roadmap, there should be an implementation arm set up within the administration. The HKSAR Government should set up an EV Office to implement the EV Action Plan with engagement of the stakeholders from public and private sectors to address the anticipated issues, including technology and operational compatibility of EVs and charging infrastructure, as well as development of the charging infrastructure.

2.5   The EV Action Plan should include:

• Develop and construct the charging infrastructure in stages to meet the growing needs especially for the public transport and commercial vehicles;
• Engage stakeholders from the public and private sectors in developing different charging options to ensure the practicability and sustainability of these options;
• Provide adequate incentives for public transport and commercial vehicle operators to switch to EVs.

2.6       The Steering Committee on the Promotion of Electric Vehicles under the leadership of the Financial Secretary should be strengthened to include members of experts from various sectors such as power transmission, EV charging technology, EV charging facilities, EV manufacturer and dealer, EV maintenance workshop, battery management system as well as public transport operators.

[1] Legislative Council Panel on Environmental Affairs. Meeting on 16 December 2019. Background brief on measures to improve air quality prepared by the Legislative Council Secretariat. LC Paper No. CB(1)233/19-20(06). Paragraph 2.

https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/english/panels/ea/papers/ea20191216cb1-233-6-e.pdf

[2] Xingcheng Lu, Teng Yao, Ying Li, Jimmy C.H. Fung, Alexis K.H. Lau, Source apportionment and health effect of NOx over the Pearl River Delta region in southern China, Environmental Pollution, Volume 212, 2016, Pages 135-146, ISSN 0269-7491, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.01.056. (2016)

[3] Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2020-21, HKSAR Government (2020). Reply Serial No. ENB041. https://www.legco.gov.hk/yr19-20/english/fc/fc/w_q/enb-e.pdf