41st Batch of Green Transport Technology Trials Approved, $4.84 Million Subsidy Granted

41st batch of applications approved for trials of green transport technologies under New Energy Transport Fund

​The Environment and Ecology Bureau today (August 2) announced its approval of the 41st batch of applications for the trials of green transport technologies under the New Energy Transport Fund.

The Steering Committee of the Fund has adopted a new merit-based approach to assess applications for funding with a view to making the best use of the Fund and taking into account factors including the latest technology developments. The five approved applications in this batch (see Annex) are for the trials of two electric light goods vehicles (non-van type) and four electric medium goods vehicles, involving a total subsidy of $4.84 million.

The latest approval brings the total number of trials pursued or being pursued under the Fund to 307, with a total subsidy of about $261 million. As at end-July 2024, a total of 193 approved trials under the Fund have been completed. Trial reports have been uploaded to the Fund's website.

The trial scheme on e-taxi charging facilities, the subsidy strategies for e-taxis and electric franchised buses, the Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong and the subsidy scheme for trials of hydrogen fuel-cell heavy vehicles were also discussed by the Steering Committee. Members have provided valuable comments. The Secretariat of the Fund as well as other relevant government bureaux and departments will follow up on the suggestions with a view to launching the relevant schemes as early as possible.

The Government put in place the Fundin March 2011 to subsidise the testing, and encourage the wider use, of green transport technologies for a variety of commercial transport tools including goods vehicles (including special-purpose vehicles), taxis, light buses, buses, vessels, motorcycles, non-road vehicles (applicable to vehicle models approved by the Transport Department or the Airport Authority Hong Kong), or the aforesaid transport tools of charitable/non-profit making organisations providing services to their clients. The technologies to be subsidised include new energy vehicles or vessels, conversion of in-use conventional vehicles or vessels to new energy vehicles or vessels, and after-treatment emission reduction devices or fuel-saving devices applicable to vehicles and vessels. Transport operators and charitable/non-profit making organisations may apply for trying out different green technology products subject to a maximum subsidy of $10 million for each application and a total of $12 million for each applicant.

For more information on the Fund and the approved applications, please visit the website of the Fund (www.eeb.gov.hk/en/new-energy-transport-fund.html) or call the enquiry hotline on 2824 0022.

Source: AI-generated images

Extension of opening hours and special traffic arrangements of FEHD's columbaria during Chung Yeung Festival

A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 13) said that the opening hours of columbaria under the FEHD will be extended to 7am to 7pm during the Chung Yeung Festival period (i.e. from September 21 to October 20) to assist grave sweepers as well as toalleviate crowd conditions. The department appealed to grave sweepers to avoid grave-sweeping activities during the peak period on the day of the Chung Yeung Festival and pay tribute to ancestors over a wider period before and after the festival.

The spokesman reminded grave sweepers to pay attention to special traffic and transport arrangements that will be implemented during the Chung Yeung Festival. Access to cemeteries and columbaria of the FEHD will be closed to all vehicles while the special traffic and transport arrangements are in operation, except for those with permission. For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and crematoria, please browse the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk). In addition, the escalator adjacent to Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium has been opened for public access.

The FEHD expects that there will be a large number of visitors burning paper offerings in joss paper burners (JPBs) at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium during the peak sweeping period of the Chung Yeung Festival. No walk-in queuing for the JPBs will be allowed at both columbaria on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the above-mentioned Chung Yeung Festival period. Members of the public must make bookings via the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/notice.html) or obtain queue tickets in the columbaria. For details of the JPB arrangements, please browse the FEHD website.

Green burial allows the environment to thrive and love to endure. Members of the public can register their wishes for a green burial through the Green Burial Central Register (www.greenburial.gov.hk). The registration is simple and free of charge. Members of the public can also pay tribute to their loved ones through the Internet Memorial Service webpage (www.memorial.gov.hk) and its mobile application. During the Chung Yeung Festival, a Green Burial Exhibition will be held on the G/F of Tsang Tsui Columbarium. All are welcome to visit free of charge. Throughout the exhibition period, a food kiosk will be set up to provide food and beverages for sale.

Source: AI-generated images