APAS Bolsters "Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles" with All-Round Support for Hong Kong's EV Development and to Build a Smart City with R&D

(Hong Kong, 19 March 2021) The Automotive Platforms and Application Systems R&D Centre (APAS) of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) welcomes the “Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles” released by the HKSAR Government, setting out its long-term policy objectives and plans to promote the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and their associated supporting facilities in Hong Kong, in realising the goal of “Zero Carbon Emissions • Clean Air • Smart City”. Through technology research and development (R&D) and consultancy services, APAS will strive to support the Government policies for the wider use of EVs and the development of associated facilities, making Hong Kong an environmentally friendly and liveable smart city.

Dr Lawrence Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of APAS, said, “Covering six key aspects from ‘electric private cars’, ‘electric commercial vehicles’, ‘charging network’, ‘maintenance services’, ‘battery recycling’ to ‘innovation and cooperation’, the HKSAR Government’s ‘Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles’ demonstrates its resolve to fully implement the smart mobility.  APAS, as a driver for Hong Kong’s EV development, is committed to developing innovative technologies, leveraging big data, AI, etc. to provide technology support and consultancy services for the sustainable development of EVs.” 

He continued, “In future, APAS will continue to adopt multi-pronged approaches, through strengthening collaboration with industries, universities, technology institutes and various stakeholders, fully leveraging the support of the Innovation and Technology Fund administered by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government, and seizing the opportunities brought by EV technology development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to create an enabling environment for the popularisation of EVs, also forging ahead towards the new era of wide adoption of EVs and zero vehicular emissions.”

APAS proactively engages in various R&D and consultancy projects relating to the EV development in Hong Kong, including:

• e-Taxi: APAS is assisting the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to conduct relevant testing consultation survey and devising possible configurations of pilot runs preliminarily in Sai Kung and Lantau Island. 
• e-Truck: Having been granted the Innovation and Technology Fund’s “Public Sector Trial Scheme” under the Innovation and Technology Commission, it is expected to deliver two e-trucks for EPD and Hong Kong Waste Disposal Industry Association (HKWDIA) respectively within this year to commence a 12-month trial. EPD will conduct the trial in the West New Territories Landfill in Tuen Mun, while HKWDIA’s trial will be taken place in South East New Territories Landfill in Tseung Kwan O. 
• e-Public Light Bus (e-PLB): APAS has been rendering technology support to the development of e-PLBs and relevant charging facilities, providing guidance to EV manufacturers and charging service providers in the manufacturing of e-PLBs capable of fast charging and their charging facilities. Relevant guidelines were published in October 2020. 

In future, APAS will continue to ride on technology R&D in the above-mentioned six key aspects to fully support the Government policies, aiming for the full implementation of smart mobility. For more information about APAS services and projects, please visit its website: www.apas.hk.

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