Tesla opens new Hong Kong electric car charging station, the biggest in Asia
Elon Musk-led firm vows to increase presence in city, despite slow sales since government pulled tax break on electric cars
US electric car maker Tesla has set up a 50-stall charging station in Hong Kong, the biggest of its kind in Asia, as it seeks to expand its presence in the city despite a drastic drop in sales caused when the government scrapped a generous tax break.
The firm said it hoped officials would use the next budget, to be announced early next year, to continue “to take the lead to develop its clean energy goals”. So far the government has made no new commitments about the promotion of zero-emission electric vehicles (EVs).
The message was made as the EV giant, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, announced on Monday the opening of a charging station at FT Life Tower in Kowloon Bay, the largest public Tesla charging site in Asia.
In a partnership with the building’s landlord, who also owns a Tesla limousine, the two-floor car park, with a total area of 4,564 square metres, is now installed with 50 Tesla wall connectors, charging at up to seven kilowatts per hour.
The car park, with 122 spaces, has an hourly parking fee of HK$28 (US$3.59) for all vehicles, with no additional cost for EV charging.