*****************************************************
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (June 22) announced the approval of the third batch of applications on the trial of green and innovative transport technologies under the Pilot Green Transport Fund.
The six newly approved applications include the trial of one electric bus for non-franchised bus services, eight hybrid light buses for green minibus services, and two electric van-type light goods vehicles, involving a total subsidy of almost $12 million. The applications were from:
Glory Success Transportation Limited
Hong Kong Metropolitan Bus Limited
Kwoon Chung Motors Company Limited
Sun Bus Limited
Teamwise Corporation Limited
Yan Yan Motors Limited
The Steering Committee of the Fund supported the above applications after its meeting in May.
This brings the total number of approved applications under the Fund to 30, amounting to a total subsidy of about $73 million. The approved trial projects comprise 29 electric vehicles and 32 hybrid vehicles. These vehicles will be tested under different local operational environments to evaluate their performance. The findings obtained from the trials will be publicised for the benefit of trades and members of the public. Compared with conventional vehicles, hybrid vehicles have less exhaust emissions and better fuel economy, while electric vehicles do not produce any exhaust emissions. Their wider use will reduce overall vehicle emissions and help improve roadside air quality.
The Government set up the $300 million Fund in March 2011 to encourage the public transport sector to test green and low-carbon transport technologies. The Fund is open for applications from public transport operators including ferry, taxi and public light bus service operators; charitable and non-profit organisations providing services to their clients; franchised bus and non-franchised public bus service operators; and goods vehicle owners. The technologies for trial include new vehicle types, equipment or machinery related to transport activities, or new retrofit systems resulting in substantially better emissions performance compared with existing models. A transport operator may apply to the Fund to try out different green products subject to a maximum subsidy of $9 million for each application and $12 million in total.
Motor vehicles are the main source of our roadside air pollution and contribute about 17 per cent of local greenhouse gas emissions. Promoting green transport will not only improve air quality but will also reduce carbon emissions, which in turn will help to avert global climate change. Furthermore, it opens up business opportunities for green transport technologies.
For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the EPD website (www.epd.gov.hk) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.
Ends/Friday, June 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN