Fleet of 200 e-taxis set to hit Hong Kong roads by March after industry signs deal with top vehicle maker BYD
- Hong Kong Tele-call Taxi Association signs deal with world’s biggest e-vehicle maker amid government-backed drive to introduce 3,000 electric cabs in less than four years
- ‘We’re looking to have 3,000 or more electric taxis, the best case scenario will be having multiple makers,’ industry chief says
A 200-strong fleet of electric taxis is set to hit Hong Kong roads by March after an industry body signed a deal with the world’s biggest e-vehicle maker as part of a government-backed drive to introduce 3,000 such cabs in less than four years.
Hong Kong Tele-call Taxi Association chairman Wong Yu-ting, who signed the deal with Shenzhen-based BYD on Wednesday, said the manufacturer was chosen because of the car model’s suitability for Hong Kong and the company’s more than a decade’s experience of cab production.
“We’ll also consider other brands,” he said. “It will depend on the suitability and price. We’re looking to have 3,000 or more electric taxis - the best case scenario will be having multiple makers.”
Wong said the BYD vehicles stood out because of their size and because their boots could fit four large suitcases and two small ones – a capacity previously unavailable in Hong Kong.
The city only had five electric-powered taxis, discounting hybrid models, in April. The figure represents less than 1 per cent of Hong Kong’s taxi fleet.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in his October policy address pledged to bring in 3,000 EV cabs before the end of 2027.
Lawmaker Frankie Yick Chi-ming, who represents the transport sector, said the deal was an industry milestone and that it was a good time for taxis to go electric.
“More than 3,000 of the 18,163 taxis in Hong Kong are now more than 10 years old,” he said. “We could encourage these cab drivers to make the switch.”
