Hong Kong firm eyes untapped market with launch of tailor-made electric minibus

Of the city’s more than 4,000 minibuses, only about 10 are currently electric, according to industry leader

A Hong Kong electric commercial vehicle solutions company has teamed up with a mainland Chinese manufacturer to launch an electric minibus tailored for the city’s roads, as the government works towards phasing out fossil-fuel commercial vehicles by 2035.

Home-grown Wai Lik New Energy unveiled five new electric models on Monday, with founder Ng Chi-wai saying the vehicles were engineered specifically for the city’s narrow streets and steep gradients.

The models included minibuses, buses and a medical vehicle.

The company, which partnered with Fujian-based Wisdom Motor, expects to deliver the new electric minibus in the third quarter this year.

Of the city’s more than 4,000 minibuses, only about 10 are currently electric, according to Chau Kwok-Keung, a chairman of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association.

Wai Lik New Energy aims to capture more than half of the local market in the three years.

“With the government’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and a full halt on new registrations of petrol and hybrid vehicles by 2035, the introduction of zero-emission public minibuses has become inevitable,” Ng said.