Hong Kong to pull plug on free EV charging at government facilities from second half of year
- Phased introduction of fees planned, with authorities saying new charge will ensure ‘sustainable development’ of service
- Lawmaker Ben Chan suggests HK$2 per kWh fee for electric vehicle drivers using facilities in government car parks
Hong Kong drivers will soon have to pay to use electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at government car parks, authorities have said, explaining the move will ensure the “sustainable development” of the service.
But an industry representative on Tuesday urged the government to keep the price low, while a lawmaker called on authorities to set the rate at HK$2 (25 US cents) per kilowatt-hour.
The pair were responding to a paper submitted to the Legislative Council on Monday, in which the government pledged to provide an additional 7,000 parking spots with EV chargers on its premises as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and phase out private gas-powered and hybrid cars.
As of September 2022, the city had about 5,300 EV chargers. About 2,200 are located at government facilities and are free to use. But that will change from the second half of this year when drivers will have to pay at certain government car parks. The fees will be in place at all government facilities by the end of 2025.
In the private sector, the city’s two electricity suppliers – HK Electric and CLP Power – operate facilities free of charge for residents. However, CLP Power said it would charge EV drivers from next year, while HK Electric has not yet revealed whether it would do the same.
The Environment and Ecology Bureau said authorities would install the new self-service kiosks at government car parks in phases.
“EV charging fees will be imposed in government car parks starting from 2025 to marketise EV charging services, so as to promote their sustainable development in the long-run,” it said in the paper.
