The Hong Kong government will start trials for electric ferries in 2024. Speaking on Wednesday at the announcement of the 2023-2024 budget, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said that four in-harbour ferry operators will get HK$350 million to build e-ferries and charging facilities as part of the trials.
The SAR has been working towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. As part of this goal, in July 2021, authorities announced the four routes that will be covered in the trial: Central-Tsim Sha Tsui by Star Ferry, North Point-Hung Hom by Sun Ferry Services, Sai Wan Ho-Kwun Tong by Coral Sea Ferry Service, and Fortune Ferry’s Water Taxi between Kai Tak, Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and West Kowloon.
In addition, the government will introduce 700 electric buses and 3,000 electric taxis by 2027. “We will earmark $200 million under the New Energy Transport Fund for progressively commencing trials of hydrogen fuel cell electric double-deck buses and heavy vehicles within this year in collaboration with franchised bus companies and other stakeholders,” said Chan.
Authorities approved the trial of four e-taxis in May 2022, and the first electric double-decker bus service in the city began the following month.
Header image credits: TerrySze via Canva
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