Promoting green transport is one of the main policy objectives of the Hong Kong SAR Government (the Government) to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. A motion on “Comprehensively promoting the development of hydrogen energy industry in Hong Kong” by the Legislative Council and several agreements-in-principle on trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology given by the Environment and Ecology Bureau-led Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel begin a new chapter on developing new energy transport in Hong Kong.

Following the previous “Green Transport Survey” (the Survey) in 2022, Green Sense conducted a similar survey from June to August 2023 and a total of 469 questionnaires were collected. The Survey aims to assess the commuting habits and patterns of the general public, understand the acceptance of introducing sustainable transport in Hong Kong, and examine the willingness to share the cost incurred when switching to eco-friendly vehicles. The Survey particularly analyses the factors when choosing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles over new energy vehicles, or vice versa, and studies the incentives to switch to new energy vehicles or public transport. After data analysis and comparison, the key outcomes of the Survey are as follows:

1. Work locations expanded to non-central business districts (CBDs)

Based on the responses from individuals who commute mainly for work, work locations have been sprawled from traditional CBDs, such as Central and Western District and Yau Tsim Mong District, to inner areas of Hong Kong such as Eastern District, Sha Tin District, Sham Shui Po District and Kwun Tong District, etc. Green Sense believes that the phenomenon is associated with several land use planning policies and projects by the Government, such as revitalization of industrial buildings and the Energizing Kowloon East initiative. It is suggested that the authorities and transport operators should augment public transport services during peak hours in these regions and should consider opening new public car parks on the outskirts to alleviate regional traffic demand.

2. Increasing use of electric vehicles (EV)

The percentage of respondents using EVs has significantly increased from 11% in 2022 to 32% this year. The “One-for-One Replacement” scheme and tax concessions for EVs effectively incentivize individuals to make the switch from fuel-propelled vehicles to EVs. The Survey also reveals that most private car drivers are willing to switch to EVs due to various concession schemes and subsidies provided by the Government, as well as environmental consideration.

It is understood that car dealerships need to estimate car sales in advance to prepare for delivery, and whether the tax concession policy continues has a significant impact on car sales. Green Sense recommends that the Government regularize the First Registration Tax concession policy, and increase the number of quick EV charging stations to attract more private cars to be replaced by electric vehicles as soon as possible, so as to achieve the target of ceasing new registration of fuel propelled private cars by 2035.

3.  More than 90% of the respondents support the introduction of eco-friendly public transport, but about a quarter are unwilling to pay the additional cost incurred

More than 90% of the respondents support the gradual introduction of eco-friendly public transport, which is a similar result to last year. Due to the higher cost of operating and maintaining eco-friendly public transport, Green Sense investigated the willingness to pay extra fares to cover the cost, but about a quarter of the respondents are unwilling to pay the additional cost, and nearly 40% of the respondents are only willing to pay less than $1.

Countries of the European Union, such as France and Germany utilize green bond funds to subsidize the development of green transport, relevant policies include the introduction of public transport monthly passes, expansion of the railway network, and improvement of water transport. Green Sense suggests that the Government should make good use of the Green Bond Programmes to enhance public transport services, or to provide more fare concessions to citizens who regularly use public transport.

4. Railway and buses are the main modes of transportation, 10% are minibuses, and few respondents use active transport

Railway is the main mode of transportation, followed by buses and minibuses, while walking and cycling accounted for about 5%. Achieving zero-carbon transportation is mainly focused on railways and buses, and green minibuses, which account for nearly 10% of the market, should also be considered in the future.

Various public transportation has begun trials on new energy vehicles (e.g. buses, minibuses, taxis). Green Sense suggests that more charging locations should be reserved for taxis and minibuses in future new development areas or redevelopment projects in Hong Kong, aligned with current land use planning policies and principles. For example, replacing petrol filling stations with EV charging stations, conducting research and taking measures on the long-term development of hydrogen transport.

Green Sense conducted an online questionnaire survey from June to July 2022, and a total of 503 valid questionnaires have been successfully collected. As the residence of respondents is similar to the result of 2021 Population Census, the survey was not weighted. After data analysis and comparison, here are the following key points:

1. The higher the need to transfer, the higher the proportion of driving

Nearly 40% of the respondents need to take more than one trip to their destination. For the districts with a higher transfer ratio, such as Tai Po, Yuen Long and Island District, respondents also have a higher driving ratio than average. We believe it is related to the insufficient public transport services in some rural areas.

To find the citizens’ transport demands, we recommend the Transport Department and public transport operators conduct regular passenger demand surveys.

Figure 1: Trips required to the destination

2. 70% drivers consider switching to electric vehicles (EVs), but are unwilling to pay extra price

More than 70% gasoline vehicle drivers considered switching to electric vehicles, mainly because the cost of charging is lower than fuel and the government’s incentive policies.

However, more than half of the drivers are unwilling to pay the extra price to buy an electric car after considering the government’s incentive policies, such as first registration tax concession arrangement. Only less than 20% of the drivers are willing to pay 25% or more of the car price.

We suggest continuing the “One-for-One Replacement” Scheme and the scheme should be improved. For example, a greater discount for the replacement of a gasoline vehicle with a longer license period may be desired.

Figure 2: Percentage of extra cost drivers willing to pay for EVs

3. The cost of charging is lower than fuel is the main factor of consider switching to EVs

Over 95% of drivers agree the lower cost of charging is an attractive factor of consider switching to EVs. Sufficient number of charging stations provided by car parks is another factor of consideration.

We recommend the numbers of chargers in future development areas and redevelopment projects should be increase. The installation of fast chargers is important for the drivers.

The undersupply of power is the main  difficulity of charging installation in old area. We recomment the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) can review and improve the power supply when the redevelopment projects start.

Figure 3: Factors to consider switching to EVs

 . Over 90% of citizens support green public transport, but a quarter of them refuse to pay more

Over 97% of respondents support green public transportation. As green transport is somehow cost more, we also investigated whether the respondents are willing to pay extra fares to cover the cost. However, about a quarter of respondents are unwilling to pay extra costs, about 40% is only willing to pay less than $1. In the EU, France and Germany finance green transport with green bond fund. For example, providing monthly transportation tickets to civil servants, railways development, promote water-borne transport, etc.

We also suggest the government may use green bond funds to improve public transport service and provide discount for public transport users.

Figure 4: Extra fares citizens willing to pay for Green Public Transport

5. Respondents mainly travel by railways, followed by bus and minibus, walking and cycling only account for about 5%

Respondents mainly travel by railways, followed by bus and minibus, walking and cycling only account for about 5%. The discussions on “zero-carbon transportation” mainly focus on railways and buses recently. Green minibuses should also be considered.

The charging spots for minibuses should be considered in the future development areas and redevelopment projects, such like the design of the Kwun Tong Urban Renewal Project.

Figure 5: Proportion of respondents using various modes of transportation

Some suggestion on environmental and transport policy will be proposed in our final report. The report will be shared to related government departments.

We will keep a closer contact the transport companies to seek for their need. To understand the needs of drivers for EVs, we have planned to start another detail survey for the drivers. The Green Transport Survey will be conducted regularly in the future.

We will also continue to promote green transport and the use of mass transport to the public.