Hong Kong, December 27, 2023 – The electric vehicle landscape in Hong Kong has experienced a significant transformation, with nearly 23,000 new private electric vehicles registered in the first 10 months of this year, accounting for an impressive two-thirds of all newly registered private vehicles. Secretary for Environment and Ecology Tse Chin-wan shared these insights, highlighting the remarkable shift in the percentage of private electric vehicles among newly registered vehicles from 9 percent in 2017 to over 60 percent in the current year.
Data from the Transport Bureau reveals a substantial increase in the adoption of electric vehicles, with percentages standing at 52.8 percent in the previous year, 24.2 percent in 2021, and 12.4 percent in 2020. Tse Chin-wan noted on his blog that the growth rate of electric vehicles in Hong Kong is among the fastest globally.
As of the end of October, the total number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong reached 70,701, representing approximately 7.7 percent of the total vehicle count, according to the Environmental Protection Department. Tse Chin-wan emphasized the city’s commitment to electric vehicles by approving over 78,000 electric vehicle parking spaces, with more than 30,800 already in operation.
However, the landscape is evolving, with public charging facilities transitioning from free services to fee-based operations by the end of the year. Tse Chin-wan stated that the shift is necessary to avoid hindering the development of other charging services. A total of 1,400 facilities across 72 public car parks will gradually introduce charging fees.
Ringo Lee Yiu-pui, honorary life president of the Hong Kong China Automobile Association, expressed confidence that charging fees would not deter Hong Kong residents from purchasing electric vehicles, emphasizing the continued attractiveness of electric vehicles due to the high price of fuel in the region. Lee suggested involving third-party entities, such as power companies, to supervise charging station fees.
Furthermore, Lee urged the government to continue tax concessions for first-time private individuals purchasing electric vehicles, citing the positive impact of these incentives on the surge in electric vehicle usage. The current tax concessions, introduced in February 2021, are set to conclude on April 1. Lee suggested extending or enhancing these concessions to further encourage electric vehicle adoption, particularly with the increasing availability of Chinese electric vehicle brands at competitive prices.
In light of these developments, the electric vehicle landscape in Hong Kong continues to evolve, driven by a mix of consumer demand, policy shifts, and market dynamics.
