BackThe Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, on September 28, declared a direct investigation into the Government’s planning and arrangements for ancillary facilities for electric private vehicles to examine whether there are any improprieties.
The 2009-10 Policy Address clearly stated that it was Government’s policy objective to make Hong Kong one of the cities in Asia where EVs are most widely used. Given the Government’s encouragement, Hong Kong saw rapid growth in the number of electric private vehicles. The number of registered electric private vehicles surged from 69 in April 2011 to 10,588 in April 2017, representing a sharp increase of 152 times. Nevertheless, the provision of ancillary recharging facilities has not shown corresponding growth. The number increased from 872 in 2011 to 1,518 in 2016, which was not even double.
Ms Lau said, “The Government’s policy objective is to make Hong Kong one of the cities in Asia where EVs are most widely used. While the number of electric private vehicles has increased rapidly following the Government’s encouragement, the provision of public rechargers has failed to keep pace with such growth and this has attracted a lot of criticism. This not only caused inconvenience to electric private vehicle owners but also, contrary to the intent of government policy, impeded the wider use of EVs in Hong Kong. Furthermore, as the Government has in its policy documents openly given its support for promoting the use of EVs, it is only natural for members of the public to have a reasonable expectation of the Government to plan and arrange for more ancillary facilities. Our direct investigation will explore in depth whether the Government’s planning and arrangements for ancillary facilities is in line with its policy on promoting the use of EVs.”
The Environment Bureau is the leading policy bureau responsible for promoting the use of EVs and so it is the subject of this direct investigation. The ambit of the investigation will cover:
(1) details of the Government’s policy on promoting the use of EVs;
(2) the Government’s planning and arrangements for ancillary facilities for electric private vehicles; and
(3) any areas for improvement and enhancement.
The Ombudsman is now inviting views from members of the public.
For contact details as well as further information on the topic, visit the website of the Ombudsman.
Source: Office of the Ombudsman, Hong Kong
