The Government has launched a series of funding schemes and facilitation measures to encourage the transport sector and the public to use green transport, Secretary for the Environment KS Wong says.
He told legislators today the measures include setting up a $300 million Pilot Green Transport Fund in March 2011 to encourage the transport sector to try green innovative transport technologies.
At the end of February this year the fund had approved 87 trials with a total subsidy of $88 million. The trials included 67 commercial electric vehicles and 63 commercial hybrid vehicles. Among them, 21 trials have been completed.
The Government has also been promoting the use of electric vehicles by waiving first-registration tax, working with the private sector to expand the charging network and encouraging vehicle suppliers to introduce more suitable models into Hong Kong, he added.
At the end of March there were 4,753 registered electric private cars - a nearly 80-fold increase on 2010.
Since April 2011 the Government has been encouraging developers to put in place basic infrastructure for electric vehicle charging facilities in car parks of new buildings by granting concessions on Gross Floor Areas.
From April 2011 to December 2015, nearly 80% of car parking spaces under newly approved development plans have been equipped with the infrastructure needed for the installation of charging facilities.
