Hong Kong to power ahead with electric vehicle plans, environment chief says
- City wants to be carbon neutral by 2050 with purchase of petrol cars phased out by 2035
- Plans include doubling number of charging facilities and converting petrol stations
Unveiling a new road map on popularising electric vehicles (EVs), environment chief Wong Kam-sing said on Wednesday the government aimed to phase out new purchases of petrol cars by 2035 with the ultimate goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
The ambitious timeline would put the city 10 years ahead of mainland China.
“The intention of the road map is to provide a very clear direction with a timeline for everyone in town to consider how to meet the carbon neutrality target by 2050,” he said.
“There are many challenges, I have to admit. But the intention is clear, we want the city to become carbon neutral, to provide clean air and to make Hong Kong a smart city.”
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Over the past decade, the number of electric vehicles locally has grown from just 184 to more than 18,600, with some 3,350 public charging spots citywide. The government will review the goal and progress on EV adoption every five years.