56 percent reduction anticipated in Hong Kong vehicle emissions through electrified public transportation

HONG KONG: BYD Co. Ltd. announced solutions for electrifying Hong Kong City’s public transport with plans to replace diesel buses and LPG taxis. Experts anticipate that this will reduce Hong Kong’s vehicle emissions nearly 56 percent. BYD concurrently unveiled its plan to introduce e6 pure electric taxis in the region in May of this year.

Chuan-fu Wang, chairman and president of BYD, remarked: “Hong Kong has been dedicated to promoting green transport for quite some time – electrifying public transportation will not only significantly save costs, but it will also dramatically lower the city vehicle emissions and improve air quality, creating a tremendous social impact!”

The first fleet of 45, BYD e6 pure electric taxis are scheduled for launch in Hong Kong in May of this year. Meanwhile, BYD and multiple partners have already built and tested three charging stations in Oi Man Estate, Shek Wai Kok Estate and Wong Tai Sin.

The second batch of charging stations is expected to be set up before May with the expectation that each taxi will be complemented by a charging appliance. BYD is also collaborating with local industry partners to pursue further developments in electrified public transport for Hong Kong (including BYD 40-foot electric buses).

Public transport is one of the major sources of air pollution in cities. Replacing the eighteen-thousand (18,000) LPG taxis and twelve-thousand (12,000) diesel buses with electric taxis and buses would mean a reduction in emissions equivalent to over eight-hundred-thousand (800,000) private cars, a leap toward an ultimate target: low-city-noise, zero emissions and zero pollution.

Electrified public transport is one of the most important ways to reduce vehicle emissions and improve roadside air pollution. In addition, given the difference in price between fossil fuels and electricity, electric transport can also help the transport industry save costs. For instance, each BYD e6 pure electric taxi is capable of saving approximately HKD 110,000 annually in operating costs.