The first batch of five government subsidised single-deck electric buses started services today in a two-year trial to reduce emissions.
The Environmental Protection Department said replacing conventional diesel buses with electric ones can help improve roadside air quality.
The two-year trial will assess their operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness under local conditions, the department said, adding it will conduct an interim review one year after the trial starts.
The Government is fully subsidising five franchised bus companies in purchasing 36 single-deck electric buses, including eight supercapacitor buses and 28 battery-electric buses, and charging facilities for trial runs on different routes. The subsidy amounts to about $180 million.
New World First Bus Services and Citybus are fully subsidised to purchase 10 single-deck battery-electric buses. The first batch of five battery-electric buses was put into service this week. Click here for details on the five routes.
The two companies anticipate the remaining five battery-electric buses will be commissioned in the first half next year.
The Government will form a task force to monitor the trial and encourage franchised bus companies to use electric buses on a larger scale if the results are satisfactory, taking into account affordability for them and their passengers.
