Lawmakers urge government to review EV replacement scheme
thestandard.com.hk, 24 Apr '26
Several Hong Kong lawmakers expressed concern on 23rd April over the government's decision to end the "One-for-One (OfO) Replacement" Scheme for electric vehicles (EVs), and called for a review of the move in the context of ongoing global oil price fluctuations.
The concerns were raised as the Legislative Council resumed the Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill 2026.
Lawmaker Mark Chong Ho-fung stated that the expiration of the scheme creates a gap between government policy and the expectations of citizens who were planning to upgrade their vehicles.
Acknowledging that the decision has already been finalised, Chong stated that the government should strengthen the city's EV charging network.
He highlighted delays in infrastructure development, noting that, of the 24 petrol stations approved to install charging points - required to complete the work within six to 12 months - only one had commenced operations as of February this year.
While the government stated that the delays were due to technical and safety issues under review, Chong said he would continue monitoring the situation to assess the implementation of EV-related policies.
Lawmaker Judy Chan Ka-pui stated that recent conflicts in the Middle East have led to fluctuations in oil prices, and noted the relevance of promoting EV adoption in Hong Kong.
She stated that the electrification of public transport, including buses and minibuses, would be necessary for changes in the transport system, and called on the government to assess measures to support operators in transitioning.
Regarding the discontinuation of the scheme, Chan stated that fiscal considerations may have influenced the decision. However, she added that current fuel price levels could be considered in the context of EV adoption.
Chan also called on the government to review the feasibility of modifying the scheme to encourage vehicle purchases with lower emissions. She added that this could contribute to reducing carbon emissions and support Hong Kong's target of halving emissions by 2035.
