Response to the Green Transformation Roadmap for Public Buses and Taxis

Clean Air Network welcomes the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis released by the Environment and Ecology Bureau yesterday, particularly the subsidies for public buses and taxis and the installation of new charging facilities.

We make the following recommendations:

• Ensuring the Timely Implementation of the Roadmap
  In the 2023 Policy Address, the Chief Executive committed the Government to the introduction of about 700 electric buses and about 3,000 electric taxis by the end of 2027. Under the Green Transformation Roadmap, while bus companies have to purchase the buses by 2027 in order to receive subsidies from the Government, the buses will only have to be delivered and registered by 2029.

  Given such an extension of the timeline, it is important the new targets will be met without further delay, in order to combat air pollution and protect the health of the public. Although ambient and roadside air quality in Hong Kong has generally improved over the last decade, in 2023, annual average roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration was 5.3 times higher than the World Health Organization safety standards; general NO2 was 2.4 times higher; and general PM2.5 was 2.6 times higher.

  To track progress by 2027, the Government should set and publish yearly targets for the number of electric buses to be purchased, the number of electric taxis to be purchased and the number of electric fast chargers to be installed.

• Further Strengthening the Charging Network
  We welcome the introduction of 500 new fast charging stations by 2027 as well as the multi-pronged approach to promote the expansion of charging facilities and develop a territory-wide network, to cater for the fast growth of electric vehicles.

  We recommend that the infrastructure development plan be formulated and reviewed in a timely manner, with a view to benefiting not only franchised buses, taxis and private vehicles, but also other types of electric vehicles with different charging needs and time periods suitable for charging due to their operational models.

• Introducing Similar Roadmaps for Other Vehicles and Ferries
  In the 2024 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced plans to develop Hong Kong into a green maritime centre by promoting the green transformation of registered ships. The Environment and Ecology Bureau is also implementing pilot schemes on electric public light buses and ferries.

  As the Government is committed to strengthening Hong Kong’s image as a new energy green city, we recommend the Government pledge to formulate roadmaps for the green transformation of other areas of road transport and marine transport, including public light buses, good vehicles, local and river vessels, in order to further reduce air pollution and the relevant public health costs, and achieve decarbonisation goals sooner.



Background Information
In 2022, the Zero Emissions Mobility Consortium, comprising major franchised bus operators, power companies, academics, Civic Exchange and Clean Air Network, made six key recommendations to the Government, including expediting and scaling up trials for buses, removal of regulatory barriers, cross-bureau policy coordination, defining funding models and investing in modal shifts in public transport.