Uploaded May 2013 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Traffic jams, and air pollution. But as Hong Kong roads become more congested with vehicles, solutions are also popping up.
Meet Hong Kong's first fleet of electric powered taxis. Auto maker BYD Co Ltd rolled them out today.
[Wang Chuanfu, CEO of BYD]:
"According to estimates, if Hong Kong's 18,000 taxis and 12,000 diesel-fueled buses are all replaced with electric cars or electric buses, the reduction of emissions will be equivalent to that of 800,000 private cars and it will reduce Hong Kong's emissions by 50 percent."
BYD wants to put 5,000 electric taxis on Hong Kong roads by 2015. But convincing the market to take it up may be challenging.
[Eddie Wong, Taxi Driver for 11 Years]:
"Electric car has its advantages, it's environmentally friendly. But its drawback is charging, it'll be a waste of time, because it takes a few hours every time you charge."
BYD says it takes two hours to fully charge its e6 electric car, and the charge will keep the car going for 186 miles. But right now there is little supporting infrastructure, and some taxi drivers don't want to risk running low.
[Gary Fung, Taxi Driver for 10 Years]:
"I don't think I will. Firstly there aren't many places where you can charge it, so you'll have to wait, and it can't charge much anyway. Also, traffic is bad in Hong Kong, so I don't think it's suitable for Hong Kong."
Others are skeptical that it really is a more environmental solution, at least for now. China gets most of its electricity from coal, one of the dirtiest sources of energy on the planet. While these cabs may help cut emissions, it has not addressed its bigger problem of dependency on coal.
For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv
Follow us on Twitter ☛ twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me/s5KV2C
Traffic jams, and air pollution. But as Hong Kong roads become more congested with vehicles, solutions are also popping up.
Meet Hong Kong's first fleet of electric powered taxis. Auto maker BYD Co Ltd rolled them out today.
[Wang Chuanfu, CEO of BYD]:
"According to estimates, if Hong Kong's 18,000 taxis and 12,000 diesel-fueled buses are all replaced with electric cars or electric buses, the reduction of emissions will be equivalent to that of 800,000 private cars and it will reduce Hong Kong's emissions by 50 percent."
BYD wants to put 5,000 electric taxis on Hong Kong roads by 2015. But convincing the market to take it up may be challenging.
[Eddie Wong, Taxi Driver for 11 Years]:
"Electric car has its advantages, it's environmentally friendly. But its drawback is charging, it'll be a waste of time, because it takes a few hours every time you charge."
BYD says it takes two hours to fully charge its e6 electric car, and the charge will keep the car going for 186 miles. But right now there is little supporting infrastructure, and some taxi drivers don't want to risk running low.
[Gary Fung, Taxi Driver for 10 Years]:
"I don't think I will. Firstly there aren't many places where you can charge it, so you'll have to wait, and it can't charge much anyway. Also, traffic is bad in Hong Kong, so I don't think it's suitable for Hong Kong."
Others are skeptical that it really is a more environmental solution, at least for now. China gets most of its electricity from coal, one of the dirtiest sources of energy on the planet. While these cabs may help cut emissions, it has not addressed its bigger problem of dependency on coal.
For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv
Follow us on Twitter ☛ twitter.com/NTDTelevision
Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me/s5KV2C
