Commercialization of Electric Vehicles in Hong Kong

Road vehicles are responsible for air pollution in Hong Kong, and electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles as the city is transitioning to clean energy. In this work, EV adoption in Hong Kong is investigated and analyzed, including the global EV markets, present EV status in Hong Kong, local challenges facing EV development, suggestions for EV promotion in Hong Kong, emerging technologies, and decommissioning of batteries and EVs. The challenges of EVs include insufficient charging infrastructures, inadequate management of public charging facilities, difficulties in EV repair and maintenance, “dead mileage” during charging, unacceptable long charging times, and limited commercial EV models. Strategies such as providing incentives and bonuses for commercial EVs, offering high-power quick-charging facilities, actively developing commercial EVs, installing more charging infrastructures for private EVs, building connections among stakeholders, encouraging the participation of the private sector to promote fee-based services, and supporting the development of innovative technologies should be implemented to promote EVs in Hong Kong. Emerging technologies for EVs such as wireless charging, smart power distribution, vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home systems, connected vehicles, and self-driving are discussed. Eco-friendly decommissioning of EV batteries can be realized by recycling and second-life applications. This paper serves as a reference and guide for the sustainable and smart evolution of the transportation sector in Hong Kong and other global large cities.