Legco Motion Urges Govt Push On Electric Cars

Lawmakers passed a motion on Thursday urging the government to review its current policy on promoting the use of electric vehicles in the territory.

The motion was raised by transport sector lawmaker Frankie Yick who warned that Hong Kong is lagging behind many places in switching to environmentally friendly types of cars.

Yick also said it was time for the government to make it mandatory for charging facilities for electric vehicles to be installed at all parking spaces in newly constructed commercial and residential buildings.

"Some people have to queue up for two hours in order to get a place to do the charging, which is ridiculous," Yick said.

Lawmakers also noted that electric cars account for less than 2 percent of all registered vehicles in the city, far below the government's target of 30 percent in just two year's time.

In response to the concerns, Acting Environment Secretary Tse Chin-wan said the government is committed to phasing out high-polluting vehicles in the long-term.

Tse said the government will consider how it can encourage developers to set up charging facilities at commercial and residential buildings.