Themis Qi
British multinational automobile distributor Inchcape has launched its first public electric charging station in Hong Kong to provide seven chargers in Kwun Tong.
There are over 93,400 electric vehicles but only about 8,000 chargers in the city, with just nearly 1,400 quick chargers. The government aims to provide at least 200,000 charging facilities by 2027.
Located in the P2 parking lot at Landmark East, Inchcape's station includes three 60 kilowatt fast chargers and four 7kW medium-speed chargers that support all EV brands. The endeavor is in collaboration with Wing Tai Properties (0369).
Inchcape set prices at HK$4 per kWh for fast chargers and HK$2.7 per kWh for the medium-speed ones, which the company said are around market level.
Users can access real-time data such as the location and number of remaining chargers in the parking lot via the Inchcape One+ new mobile app.
When asked about the charger expansion plan in Hong Kong, Inchcape Greater China managing director Ted Lau Kai-shing didn't reveal a specific target. He only said the company will certainly contribute to the government's goal.
Lau suggested one option could be to collaborate with petrol stations, further disclosing that Inchcape is in talks with one or two oil companies in Hong Kong about offering electric chargers. He is certain the government will offer their support for the plan.
Lau added that it is much faster to work with petrol filling stations to expand the charging network than to install in commercial buildings one by one.
Inchcape also mentioned that the company provides maintenance services to all chargers at Airside in Kai Tak, as it is transforming itself with business portfolio adjustments.
Ted Lau launches the new charging station.
