Why do we need to switch buses to zero-emission?

1.

Following the global trend to decarbonize, the Hong Kong government has set the following goals:

  • Reduce total carbon emissions by 50% (compared with 2005) before 2035
  • Attain carbon neutrality before 2050
    • Transport is the second largest source of carbon emissions in Hong Kong, making up 18% of total carbon emissions in 2019
2.

Roadside air pollution levels in Hong Kong seriously exceed WHO standards:

  • In 2021, roadside NO2 concentration exceeded by 620%, PM2.5 by 320%, PM10 by 127%
  • Hedley Environmental Index by School of Public Health of the University of Hong Kong estimated that air pollution in 2021 resulted in 1,329 premature deaths and an economic loss of HKD 15.8 billion
    • Commercial vehicles, including buses, contributed to over 90% of the total emission of NOx of all vehicles in Hong Kong (2016)

Transition to ZE buses is needed for decarbonization and public health!

How many ZE buses do we have in Hong Kong now?

1

The government only plans to set out a timeline for the adoption of zero-emission commercial vehicles in 2025 – currently there is no comprehensive plan.

2

Through subsidies, the government encourages franchised bus companies to test out electric vehicles, but the quantity has been limited:

 

3

4

Although the bus companies have been procuring new energy vehicles for trials, without government leadership and support, a full-scale zero-emission bus fleet is unattainable in near future.

 

Citizens demand ZE buses

Clean Air Network commissioned Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute to conduct a public opinion survey in November 2021, which found that:

72%

of the interviewed local citizens supported switching all franchised buses to zero-emission vehicles

49%

of them wished to see at least 50% of the franchised buses transforming to zero-emission vehicles by 2030

We urge the government to take the responsibility to lead a speedy, full-scale transformation to ZE buses!

Roadmap
Infrastructure
Financial aid
Remove regulatory barriers

Source: Environmental Protection Department, Hedley Index, New Energy Transport Fund, Transport Department