ENG-2020 — Page 284

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The Environment

Nearly all taxis and about 80 per cent of public light buses run on LPG. About 79,000 pre-Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles were phased out under a scheme which ended in June, and a similar scheme was launched in October to progressively phase out some 40,000 Euro IV diesel commercial vehicles by 2027.

Controls are in place to curb excessive smoke from diesel vehicles and excessive emissions from petrol and LPG vehicles due to poor maintenance. During the year, 735 diesel vehicles with excessive smoke were reported and 2,655 petrol and LPG vehicles with excessive emissions. were identified by roadside remote sensors. Such vehicles must pass a chassis dynamometer emission test at a test centre within 12 days to prove the emission problem has been rectified.

In August, the government extended until 31 March 2024 the waiver of first registration tax on electric commercial vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles. The tax concession for electric private cars is capped at $97,500, but a higher concession of up to $250,000 is granted to people who scrap and de-register an eligible old private car and then first register a new electric car under the One-for-One Replacement Scheme. In 2020, the number of electric vehicles increased 32.6 per cent year on year to 18,530, including government and special-purpose vehicles, while 3,351 public chargers were available for public use, including 643 quick and 1,456 medium chargers. To encourage people to switch to electric vehicles, the government introduced in October a $2 billion EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme for installation of charging facilities in car parks of existing private residential buildings, intended to cover about 60,000 parking spaces in three years.

In 2020, the government injected an additional $800 million into the New Energy Transport Fund to support the wider trial and use of new energy transport technologies.

To promote mass transit systems that are pollution-free at the street level, the government gives priority to rail over road and encourages innovation.

Marine Transport

Marine vessels are a major air pollutant emission source in Hong Kong. The government caps the sulphur content in locally supplied marine light diesel at 0.05 per cent. From 2019, the government has required all vessels in Hong Kong waters to use compliant fuel, such as fuel with sulphur content not exceeding 0.5 per cent and liquefied natural gas.

Power Generation

Power plants are a major source of local emissions. The government tightens statutory emission caps on the power sector progressively and encourages the power companies to use cleaner fuel. In 2019, the emission caps of three key air pollutants, SO2, NOx and RSP, from the power sector in 2024 and beyond were further reduced by 69 per cent to 87 per cent compared with 2010 levels.

Indoor Air Quality

The government's voluntary certification scheme for offices and public places encourages participating property owners and management companies to enhance indoor air quality at their premises.

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