******************************************************
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 30) announced its approval of the 16th batch of applications for the trial of green and innovative transport technologies under the Pilot Green Transport Fund.
The newly approved applications are for the trial of seven electric light goods vehicles and one hybrid medium goods vehicle, involving a total subsidy of about $2.2 million. The five applications were from:
Airport Freight Forwarding Centre Company Limited
Ever Success Enterprise Limited
Kum Shing (KF) Construction Company Limited
The Build-Up Plastic and Metal Company, Limited
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Steering Committee of the Pilot Green Transport Fund agreed to support the above applications at its meeting held in May this year.
The latest approval brings the total number of trials being conducted under the Fund to 91 for testing three electric taxis, three electric light buses, 11 electric buses, 54 electric goods vehicles, 52 hybrid goods vehicles, 12 hybrid light buses, one bus solar air-conditioning system, four bus electric inverter air conditioning systems, and the adoption of a diesel-electric propulsion system and a seawater scrubber on a ferry, amounting to a total subsidy of about $89 million.
At present, three electric taxis, nine electric buses, 41 electric van-type light goods vehicles, five hybrid public light buses, 42 hybrid goods vehicles, one bus solar air-conditioning system and one bus inverter air-conditioning system subsidised by the Fund have begun trial by transport operators. Among them, three electric taxis, four electric buses, 18 electric van-type light goods vehicles, one hybrid public light bus, 24 hybrid goods vehicles and one bus solar air-conditioning system have completed their two-year trials. Interim and final reports of the trials have already been uploaded to the Fund's website for public information.
The Government set up the $300 million Fund in March 2011 to encourage the public transport sector to test green and innovative transport technologies. The Fund is open for applications from public transport operators, charitable and non-profit organisations providing services to clients, and goods vehicle owners. The technologies for trial include new vehicle types and equipment and machinery related to transport activities. Transport operators may apply the Fund to try out different green products subject to a maximum subsidy of $9 million for each application and $12 million in total.
For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk) or call the enquiry hotline at 2824 0022.
Ends/Thursday, June 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:01
NNNN
