(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Government today announced the first Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles which sets out long-term policy objectives and plans for the city to attain zero vehicular emissions before 2050.

Secretary for the Environment KS Wong introduced the key measures under the roadmap that cover six aspects to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and their supporting facilities at a press conference this afternoon.

One of the measures involves the use of electric private cars. As announced in the 2021-22 Budget last month, new registration of fuel-propelled private cars including hybrid vehicles will be ceased in 2035 or earlier.

The Government will also take the lead to set electric cars as standard for its small and medium private cars to be procured or replaced, and encourage public organisations to make reference to such a green procurement policy.

Additionally, it will promote trials for electric public transport and commercial vehicles including buses, public light buses, taxis and goods vehicles, with a view to setting a concrete way forward and a timetable around 2025.

Mr Wong said: "I think the intention of the roadmap is to provide a very clear direction with a timeline for everyone in town to consider how to meet the target of carbon neutrality by 2050.

"There are many challenges, I have to admit. But I think the intention is clear, that we want the city to become carbon neutral, to provide cleaner air and to make Hong Kong a smart city. So we will work with the trade including the franchised bus companies to consider how we can meet the goal.

"As the first step, as mentioned in the roadmap, we will work with the power companies through different means to try out the single-decker and the double-decker buses. It has to be done in systematic order, step by step. I think there is no simple solution, but we have to understand the challenge and tackle it step by step."

On the measure to expand the EV charging network and marketise its services, Deputy Director of Environmental Protection Owin Fung noted that both public and private charging facilities will be covered.

"As we set out in the leaflet, one of the targets is to have at least 150,000 chargers in private buildings by 2025. On the other hand, we also have some targets on the public charging facilities by 2025.

"We are confident that if we can meet that target in the medium term, we can meet the demand from the EVs, in particular from the electric private cars, in the medium term.

"But for the medium to long term, we have to locate and identify more sites, to turn those sites into quick charging stations. One of the examples will be turning the gas filling stations into charging stations. It is very critical for the whole community to be equipped and be very well prepared for EVs in the future."

Other measures under the roadmap include the provision of education and training for technicians and mechanics on electric car maintenance, as well as battery recycling.

Noting that the Government will review the roadmap's strategies and targets around every five years, Mr Wong called on the public's support for the popularisation of electric vehicles to make Hong Kong a liveable, green and smart city.