Hydrogen to power street-washing vehicles

Hydrogen-powered street-washing vehicles will soon hit Hong Kong as the government is going to announce the city's new strategy for hydrogen development on Monday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu told lawmakers yesterday.

Speaking at the Q&A session of the legislative council meeting, Lee said the Environment and Ecology Bureau will release the strategy, which will explain the government's plan to promote the development of hydrogen energy in the city.

"The government is planning to launch pilots for hydrogen-powered street-cleaning trucks within this year and will also consider introducing hydrogen energy into garbage trucks and trams," Lee said.

He added that the government will focus on developing hydrogenation and hydrogen power generation facilities while looking into relevant safety guidelines.

"As hydrogen is a very flammable gas, the government will also study the safety rules and guidelines for maintenance, storage and hydrogen gas stations, as well as amend laws related to gas safety," Lee said.

This will be part of the administration's attempt to look for "new quality productive forces" - an idea mentioned by President Xi Jinping in September last year, which aims at integrating technology and innovative resources to drive major changes in sectors and realize a more digital and smart development.

Lee said the SAR is also developing San Tin Technopole and promoting the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute at the Northern Metropolis to achieve this goal.

He also said the government is accelerating policies to attract talent, as some 47,000 talents holding foreign passports have come to the city under various schemes in the past 18 months.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com