100 quick-charging facilities planned for 40 filling stations

Some 100 quick charging facilities are expected to be set up at 40 petrol filling stations in the city in the 2024-25 fiscal year, the government said.

Also being considered is to install dedicated chargers for electric taxis at taxi stands and government premises.

These initiatives are driven by the increasing dominance of electric vehicles and the declining demand for conventional fuel-propelled vehicles. The government recognizes the need for more charging infrastructure to accommodate the future market.

Speaking at a Legislative Council panel on environmental affairs meeting yesterday, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan, said the importance of early planning for the development of over 180 petrol filling stations and liquefied petroleum gas filling stations in Hong Kong.

"The government intends to gradually convert existing petrol filling stations into quick charging stations as part of their long-term plans," he said. "Also, we are encouraging petrol filling station operators to retrofit charging facilities in their stations by offering incentives and adjusting lease conditions."

Out of the 98 petrol filling stations that submitted preliminary proposals for retrofitting quick charging facilities in November, 60 stations have been invited by the government to submit detailed design proposals.

These proposals involve more than 200 chargers. For the remaining six petrol filling stations, the operators are required to provide supplementary information due to land lease problems or incomplete compliance with operational requirements.

The government is currently assessing the feasibility of retrofitting charging facilities at the remaining 32 stations.

The government has also acknowledged the need for comprehensive support to facilitate the round-the-clock services of commercial vehicles, particularly electric taxis.

Transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming raised a concern about the possibility of opening up car parks of government office buildings for the installation of medium-speed chargers to charge taxis at night.

In response, principal assistant secretary for environment and ecology, Kennth Leung Kai-ming, said that the government has examined car parks in different government buildings for charger installation, "but are currently studying which venues are suitable for the taxi trade, considering that different government office buildings are managed by different departments."