Quick fix for EV drivers at six malls

Electric vehicle owners can recharge their batteries in six Sun Hung Kai Properties malls now said to be equipped with the city's fastest EV chargers.

The developer launched its first member points to free supercharging service scheme, aimed at attracting customers and enhancing sustainable development.

SHKP had "invested resources to acquire high-performing chargers," executive director Christopher Kwok Kai-wang said, adding that there are more than 54,000 EVs on the road and that they made up 60 percent of new registrations this year.

He also said that the move was inspired by a significant increase in demand for EV charging.

There are currently more than 5,000 EV chargers in the city, with SHKP accounting for more than 750 of them.

Kwok said that the one-to-10 ratio of EV chargers to vehicles is far from enough, and that the company is adding 300 more before next year. This service allows hassle-free procedures compared to traditional method as it only requires the app. And these chargers would be capable of serving the majority of EV models.

The service has been undergoing tests in East Point City in Tseung Kwan O, Tsuen Wan Plaza, Tai Po Mega Mall, V city in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long's Yoko Mall and Mikiki in San Po Kong, with 23 of these being rapid charging stations and more than 2,000 The One members trying them out.

The service is, according to Kwok, competitive as it costs HK$40 for a 15-minute service or 1,500 bonus points in exchange.

Kwok said the long term goal is to expand the contactless parking service to other malls and their residential and business properties.

It is scheduled to expand the service across every SHKP mall by the second quarter of next year, and would also be available to 100 car parks in its subsidiary Wilson Parking by this year.

SHKP is also building one of the largest solar energy generation networks in the city that can generate 5.6 million kilowatt-hours annually and is coming on stream this year.