The network of liquefied-petroleum gas filling stations has grown from only four temporary ones, to a total of 44 - including 12 large-scale dedicated stations.

Speaking in the Legislative Council today, Secretary for Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao said to encourage the use of LPG, the Government has been working with oil companies to expand the LPG station network.

"More LPG stations will come on stream in the coming years and the geographical coverage of the LPG filling network will be further improved," Dr Liao said.

The Government recently introduced a voluntary scheme to encourage minibus owners to replace their diesel vehicles with LPG or electric ones, and so far about 600, or 14% of the entire minibus fleet, are using LPG.

None are electric, as yet. However, the Government and the trade have conducted joint trials that show both electric and LPG powered minibuses are suitable for use in Hong Kong.

To be eligible for the one-off grant under an incentive scheme, owners of diesel minibuses a decade old or more have until the end of next year to replace their vehicles, while those under 10 years old must be replaced by the end of 2005.

"The voluntary nature of the scheme allows owners to decide, on the basis of their operations, whether to opt for an LPG, electric or diesel bus," Dr Liao said.

"We will continue our close dialogue with the trade and will follow up on the technical issues that they may encounter in the use of LPG buses."