OREANDA-NEWS. May 22, 2013. CLP Power Hong Kong (CLP) is introducing Hong Kong’s first electric coach – known as an e-coach – in a green initiative to promote the wider use of environmentally-friendly transport.

The arrival of the coach underscores CLP’s steadfast support for the government’s call for more electric vehicles (EVs) to improve Hong Kong’s air quality.

Powered solely by electricity, the 49-seat vehicle has a wealth of environmentally-friendly and energy-saving features. It produces zero emissions at street level, significantly improving roadside air quality compared to traditional diesel coaches. Having no diesel engine, it also generates less noise and heat, providing a smoother and greener travelling experience.

It is also more economical, with energy costs only 27 per cent of those of a diesel coach, and more energy efficient, converting 80 per cent of input energy compared to only 20 per cent in a diesel coach. Maintenance costs are also lower as it has no gear box or engine. After a three-hour fill-up at a quick charging station, the e-coach can run from 250 to 300 kilometres with its air-conditioning on, equivalent to four round trips between Mong Kok and Tin Shui Wai.

The e-coach will not only serve as a shuttle bus for employees but will also be used in a trial programme allowing business customers to take a ride on Hong Kong’s first e-coach and experience its environmental benefits first-hand. Staff and students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks and Caritas Hong Kong are among the first to join the programme, which aims to showcase the benefits of electric vehicles to a wider audience.

Mr Richard Lancaster, Managing Director of CLP Power, said: “CLP shares a vision with the government to create a cleaner, greener Hong Kong for future generations. The launch of this first e-coach has a synergy with the latest government initiative “Hong Kong: Our Home” campaign, under the Fresh HK theme, which promotes a low carbon lifestyle and emissions-free driving in our city. We will continue our efforts to bring in more green vehicles to our fleet, as
well as encouraging customers to join us in using green vehicles to help improve our environment for future generations.”

As the officiating guest of today’s e-coach launching ceremony, Ms Anissa Wong Sean-yee, JP, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Director of Environmental Protection said: “Today’s event demonstrates how corporations can play an active role in introducing low-carbon transportation. We are confident that, with the launch of this e-coach, there would be a growing mix of electric vehicles in Hong Kong, making our city a more sustainable and greener community.”

CLP has been introducing electric vehicles into its fleet since 1984. Currently, it has a green fleet
of 94 environmental vehicles, including 58 electric vehicles. The green fleet ranges from private cars, light trucks and vans to minibuses and 10-tonne trucks.

As part of its efforts to promote the wider use of green vehicles, CLP has pioneered the introduction of a charging network to allow EVs to be more widely used across Hong Kong. EV  drivers can enjoy free charging services until end of this year at six quick charging stations, as well as at 33 standard and semi-quick charging stations with 140 charging points covering every major district in Kowloon, the New Territories and Lantau.