As the HKSAR government pushes toward its zero-emission targets, including a ban on new diesel vehicle registrations by 2035, one industry veteran saw an opportunity. Mr. Ng Chi Wai, who brings 38 years of logistics and transport experience to the table, spotted a gap in the electric minibus market and founded Wai Lik New Energy Company.
Partnering with Mainland manufacturer Wisdom Motor, the company is developing pure electric and range-extended electric minibuses tailored to Hong Kong’s driving conditions. The vehicles come with a 15-year warranty on both the battery and chassis, aimed at giving minibus operators the confidence to go green.
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Mr. Ng Chi Wai (left) and Mr. Jacky Ng (right), Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
The biggest R&D challenge was balancing climbing ability, battery capacity, and vehicle weight. Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
The electric minibus can be fully charged in 15 minutes. Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
The first batch of electric minibuses is expected to receive official approval to hit the road this summer. Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
Customized mobile medical vehicles, Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
Mr. Ng Chi Wai (left) and Mr. Jacky Ng (right), Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
In an interview with Bastille Post, the company's founder, Mr. Ng Chi Wai, and general manager, Mr. Jacky Ng, explained that three years ago, they had initially planned to replace their existing fleet of light-duty tractors with new energy models. Finding no suitable models available locally, they teamed up with Wisdom Motor to create a "Hong Kong version" of an electric minibus. The first batch is expected to receive official approval to hit the road this summer.
Balancing Climbing Power and Weight
Why did the company choose minibuses over private cars or full-sized buses? According to Mr. Ng Chi Wai, the private car market is dominated by global giants, while the bus sector is firmly held by KMB and Citybus. Minibuses, however, including green minibuses, school buses, tour coaches, NGO vehicles, and estate shuttles, represent a fragmented and underserved market with significant potential. Currently, electric minibuses remain a rarity in Hong Kong.
Jacky noted that through deep engagement with operators, the company found that minibus operations closely resemble logistics fleets in terms of range needs. But pain points are widespread: limited range, long charging times, and poorly suited vehicle dimensions. And with Hong Kong's narrow streets and hilly terrain, the local operating environment is tougher than almost anywhere else.
The biggest R&D challenge was balancing climbing ability, battery capacity, and vehicle weight. Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
"The biggest R&D challenge was balancing climbing ability, battery capacity, and vehicle weight," he said. Too much battery capacity compromises vehicle weight; too little kills range. Opting for alternative batteries would, however, lengthen charging time. After countless trials, the company adopted a patented lightweight composite-material body. It settled on an optimal battery-weight solution to ensure performance and durability that meets the highest local commercial standards. The result is a minibus that can handle a 30% gradient, features a low-floor design, and comes equipped with intelligent safety systems, significantly enhancing both safety and practicality.
Two Powertrains, One Green Solution
To get around Hong Kong's charging infrastructure gaps, the company is launching both pure electric and range-extended versions. The range-extended model packs a 49 kWh battery plus a 70-liter diesel generator. The generator only kicks in to recharge the battery when needed, with the wheels always driven by the electric motor. Total range hits about 800 kilometers, far outpacing the roughly 300 km a conventional diesel minibus gets from the same 70 liters of fuel.
The pure electric version, meanwhile, features a 117 kWh battery and 3C supercharging technology, enabling a full charge in just 15 minutes.
The electric minibus can be fully charged in 15 minutes. Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
"Operators care most about charging time," Jacky said. "We pushed the manufacturer to meet a 15-minute fast-charge standard. That's a revolutionary breakthrough for commercial vehicles."
Beyond technology, the company is also offering a 15-year warranty on the power battery and chassis. As for the 15-year term, Mr. Ng Chi Wai explained that it matches the mandatory retirement age for diesel vehicles in Hong Kong. "This gives owners peace of mind: the vehicle is good for at least 15 years," he said. "Electric vehicles have no mandatory retirement age. They can keep going for 20 or even 25 years, effectively lowering long-term ownership costs." Other components are covered by a three-year or 300,000-kilometer warranty (excluding consumables).
On energy costs, the numbers speak for themselves. Diesel currently runs at HK$35-36 per litre, while 70 litres of diesel would cost over HK$2,000. In comparison, an electric minibus needs about 200 kWh per day. At a price under HK$3 per kWh, a daily maximum cost roughly reaches HK$600. Over time, the savings are substantial for an electric minibus with obvious cost advantages.
First Approvals Expected in June or July
Mr. Ng Chi Wai revealed that six electric minibuses have already arrived in Hong Kong and are awaiting government licensing. Official approval is expected between June and July. He noted that many operators have already taken test drives and are impressed with the driving experience, design flexibility, and overall specifications, calling the electric vehicles a world apart from conventional minibuses.
The first batch of electric minibuses is expected to receive official approval to hit the road this summer. Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
The company has signed strategic cooperation agreements with several organizations, including AMS Public Transport, Min Kee Motors, and USTEU, marking the official start of large-scale commercial operations. The company's goal is to capture 50% of Hong Kong's roughly 4,000 green minibuses.
Beyond the standard 19-seat model, the company can tailor vehicles to customer requirements. For example, "customized mobile medical vehicles" developed on the electric minibus chassis, complete with electric wheelchair lifts and space for medical equipment.
Customized mobile medical vehicles, Photo source: Wai Lik New Energy Company
Looking ahead, Jacky hopes the government will speed up land approvals, enabling charging companies to install more charging equipment more quickly. "The more complete the charging infrastructure, the higher the willingness of operators to switch to electric minibuses," he said.
Mr. Ng Chi Wai added that while private cars, taxis, and buses have already received government subsidies for electrification, minibuses, which carry citizens every day, have been left out. "The government needs to step up and help minibus operators complete their green transformation by offering concrete subsidies for replacement," he said.
