Hong Kong Updates Electric Vehicle Roadmap to Achieve Zero Emissions by 2050

Government updates Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles

The Government today (February 12) announced the Updated Version of the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles (the Updated Roadmap). The Updated Roadmap reviews the development of electric vehicle (EV) technology over the past decade, summarises the progress that has been made to promote EV popularisation in Hong Kong since the Government formulated the Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles (the Roadmap) in 2021, and updates the strategies and measures adopted by the Government to promote EV popularisation.

A spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) said, "The Government formulated the Roadmap in 2021, setting the target of ceasing new registration of fuel-propelled private cars, including hybrid vehicles, in 2035 or earlier, with a view to achieving zero vehicular emissions before 2050 and supporting Hong Kong's carbon neutrality goal before 2050. The Government also announced the Green Transformation Roadmap of Public Buses and Taxis in 2024.

"To ensure that our policies keep pace with the times, after fully considering the latest technological developments, the local progress in EV popularisation, and views from the industry, we have updated the Roadmap. It summarises our policy direction to pragmatically and continuously promote the development of the EV market in Hong Kong to achieve zero vehicular emissions before 2050."

Building on the original Roadmap, the Updated Roadmap outlines five areas with a total of 28 measures, summarised as follows:

(1) Policy promotion

The EEB will co-ordinate relevant policy bureaux and departments to establish an EV charging network underpinned by fast chargers to fully support EV applications in Hong Kong; establish a working group to identify suitable electric commercial vehicles for local use and support their popularisation; and provide funding through the New Energy Transport Fund and the Green Tech Fund for research and development of related green technologies. To date, the two funds have provided nearly $200 million in funding for EV trials and research and development.

To address the inconsistency in EV charging standards between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, and to promote the internationalisation of charging standards, the National Energy Administration and the EEB will collaborate to launch a pilot scheme for the next-generation EV charging technology ChaoJi, with the target to complete the construction of ChaoJi charging demonstration stations in Hong Kong by 2027. This will facilitate the "bringing in and going global" of the country's innovative charging technology.

China's EV industry leads globally in both scale and innovation. The Government will provide policy support and co-ordination to enterprises seeking to promote EVs in Hong Kong, leveraging Hong Kong's status as an international fintech hub and also a bridgehead for global expansion to help China's EV industry and technology go global, and to promote the popularisation of EVs worldwide.

(2) Electric private cars

With vigorous promotion by the Government and concerted efforts of stakeholders, EVs have developed rapidly in Hong Kong, growing more than fourfold in four years to over 140 000 units, with the electric private car growth rate ranking among the highest in the world. It is estimated that the number of electric private cars could surpass 290 000 by 2030 and approach nearly 500 000 by 2035. Electric private car technology has matured, with substantially increased models and prices becoming competitive with conventional fuel-propelled private cars. The popularisation of electric private cars is gradually driven by market forces. Going forward, the Government will support the green transition of private cars by improving supporting facilities and user convenience, primarily through charging network expansion, maintenance training, and battery recycling. While some international regions have slowed vehicle electrification, Hong Kong will maintain the target of ceasing new registrations of fuel-propelled private cars, including hybrid vehicles, in 2035 or earlier, to align with the national commitment to carbon neutrality.

(3) Electric commercial vehicles

At present, the overall electrification of commercial vehicles is still in its early stages of technological and market development, lagging behind those of electric private cars. Certain vehicle types, including franchised buses, taxis, van-type light goods vehicles, have achieved a relatively mature stage of large-scale application. The Government will adopt a pragmatic approach to progressively promote the large-scale application of these vehicle types. For electric commercial vehicles that have not yet reached the stage of large-scale application, a working group will be established to introduce more models suitable for local use and create conditions for their future large-scale applications.

(4) Charging network

Hong Kong began promoting the installation of charging infrastructure in new car park spaces through tightened gross floor area exemption arrangements in 2011. Coupled with the EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme launched in 2020, there are now approximately 130 000 parking spaces equipped with charging infrastructure in private buildings and estate car parks in Hong Kong. The number of public chargers has also increased to 2.5 times the approximately 4 700 in 2021, reaching approximately 16 500 at present, sufficient to support about 100 000 EVs. It is expected that by mid-2027, the number of public and private parking spaces equipped with charging infrastructure will go up to about 200 000, capable of supporting over 300 000 EVs.

The Government will leverage market forces in the future through policy guidance to build a public charging network with fast chargers as the backbone. The target is to increase the number of fast chargers to no less than 4 000 by 2030, supporting approximately 200 000 EVs, and it is expected that this number will further increase to around 10 000 fast chargers by 2035, altogether supporting approximately 500 000 EVs. Coupled with a large number of parking spaces equipped with EV charging infrastructure, EV owners will find it more convenient.

(5) Supporting measures

Hong Kong's first large-scale EV battery recycling facility is under construction at the EcoPark and is expected to commence operation in the first half of 2026, converting end-of-life EV batteries into recycled black mass to supply the Chinese Mainland and neighbouring areas. The recycling facility will not only promote the development of the EV battery recycling industry and strengthen Hong Kong's role in the regional green industry chain but also serve as a good model for mutually beneficial co-operation in the environmental industry of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

To keep pace with the latest developments of EVs, the Government has recently commenced work to update the Technical Guidelines on Charging Facilities for EVs and aims for completion by the end of 2026. Furthermore, the Government is collaborating with tertiary institutions to promote the continuing education and training of EV technicians and maintenance personnel. As at December 2025, approximately 1 100 technicians have completed these training courses.

The spokesperson added, "With climate change becoming increasingly severe, promoting sustainable green transport has become a global consensus. The measures in the Updated Roadmap will lay a foundation tailored to local conditions for future vehicle electrification, pragmatically promote EV popularisation, and lead the industry towards green transformation."

For details of the Updated Roadmap, please visit the EEB website (www.eeb.gov.hk/sites/default/files/pdf/Updated_EV_Roadmap_eng.pdf).

Source: AI-found images

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (February 12), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. Last year, Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere is currently in the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date.

The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local cases, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images