Editorial | Accelerate the drive towards electric cars

The transition from fuel-propelled cars to electric vehicles is gathering pace around the world, including in Hong Kong. Tax concessions for the first-time registration of electric cars in the city, introduced in 2018, have driven a rapid increase in sales. More than half of new registrations last year were for electric vehicles, an encouraging development. Hong Kong now has more than 50,000 registered electric private cars, up from 28,742 a year ago, 7.8 per cent of all private cars. But there is a long way to go to achieve the target of no new registrations for fuel or hybrid vehicles by 2035.

The demand for electric cars will only continue to grow if there is the necessary infrastructure to support it. It is vital to ensure there are sufficient charging stations. There were 5,434 in public and private locations at the end of last year. That works out at almost one for every 10 vehicles. It is not enough and demand is rising.

There are plans for more to be installed on government premises. A HK$2 billion scheme to encourage the placing of such facilities in car parks for private residential buildings has attracted double the number of applications expected. The government hopes that with additional funding provided for 700 car parks, roughly half the city’s eligible parking spaces will be covered.

Charges will soon be imposed for recharging in government car parks, with self-service payment kiosks installed. This is inevitable as the use of electric cars increases and the cost of providing facilities mounts. But prices should not be set too high.

There is a need to push ahead on all fronts to ensure the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles keeps pace with demand. This is only part of the drive to boost the city’s green transport sector. Progress must also be made with buses, taxis, ferries and heavy commercial vehicles. The ability to recycle batteries also needs to be stepped up.

The move to greener transport will reduce air pollution, especially at the roadside, and make the city more enjoyable to live in. It will also help Hong Kong achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. This is a time to put the foot on the accelerator and ensure the process gathers speed.