Hong Kong's First Hydrogen Refuelling Station and First Double-Decker Hydrogen Bus Officially Commenced Operation
(30 Nov 2023, Hong Kong) — CIMC Enric Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively, “CIMC Enric” or “Company”) (Hong Kong stock code: 3899.HK) are pleased to announce that Hong Kong’s first skid-mounted hydrogen refuelling station delivered and installed by the Company for Citybus, and the double-deck hydrogen buses using Type IV hydrogen cylinders and hydrogen supply system supplied by CIMC-HEXAGON, were officially launched today in the presence of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR Mr Lee Ka-chiu. This is Hong Kong's first ever hydrogen refuelling station in operation and the first hydrogen bus to carry passengers, marking a milestone in the application of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong. In addition to the skid-mounted hydrogen refueling station, the Type IV hydrogen on-vehicle cylinder and supply system, the tube bundle trailer for transporting hydrogen at the hydrogen refueling station was also provided by CIMC Enric earlier. The Company will further support the subsequent landing and operational testing of more hydrogen refuelling stations and additional hydrogen buses, powering Hong Kong's public transport industry in “Hydrogen for the Future”.
Today, Citybus held a grand opening ceremony for the hydrogen refuelling station and hydrogen bus in Hong Kong. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR Mr Lee Ka-chiu, along with Secretary for Environment and Ecology Mr Tse Chin-wan and Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mr Lam Sai-hung, were invited to attend the ceremony as officiating guests. Mr Lee Ka-chiu became the first passenger of the first hydrogen bus in Hong Kong, personally experiencing its unique package and advantages.
Citybus is owned by Bravo Transport Services and boasts an industry-leading fleet of over 1,700 buses operating on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. It is fully dedicated to supporting Hong Kong’s carbon neutrality target through the zero-emission campaign “Mission Zero”, pledging to operate a full-fleet of zero-emission buses by 2045, which is five years earlier than the government’s target. Coupled with a short refuelling time, the operational range of hydrogen buses is comparable to diesel vehicles, making it suitable to operate across most routes. This enables Citybus to achieve a critical “one-for-one replacement” of diesel buses. The first hydrogen bus body design is modelled on a double-decker electric bus that can be refuelled in merely 10 minutes. Citybus expects to begin providing hydrogen bus service in January 2024 earliest and will design and introduce more production type hydrogen buses in the future which will double the hydrogen storage capacity, enabling a 400 km range under Hong Kong’s demanding operating conditions. As a battery needs to be 200 times heavier to store the same amount of energy as hydrogen, hydrogen buses therefore also have the advantage of being lighter and having a longer range than electric buses, considered to be one of the best choices for zero-emission transport.
Chairman of Citybus Mr Cliff Zhang, said: “Hydrogen plays a pivotal role in the future national energy landscape, as countries worldwide consider hydrogen as a future clean energy source. Following the Chief Executive of the HKSAR’s announcement in the Policy Address of 2022 to test out hydrogen double deck buses, Citybus has vigorously worked with multiple Government departments spearheaded by the Inter Departmental Working Group and adopting a results-oriented approach, to kick-off Hong Kong’s new hydrogen era. We are confident that our hydrogen bus and refuelling station will become iconic zero emission projects for Hong Kong on the wider international stage, and a “postcard” showcasing our advancements in the new energy field.”
Hong Kong is expected to formulate two long-term strategies, namely the “Citywide Green Transformation Roadmap and Timetable for Public Buses and Taxis” and “Strategy of Hydrogen Development in Hong Kong” in the first half of 2024, and amend the relevant legislation on the manufacture, storage, transportation and application of hydrogen energy, promoting the use of hydrogen as a zero-carbon energy source. Recently, the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, has indicated that to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to halve carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2035, the HKSAR Government will invest about USD30 billion in the next 15 to 20 years for green transformation-related measures, including green transport-related decarbonisation measures.
CIMC Enric, as a core equipment supplier, was also invited to attend the unveiling ceremony of the Hong Kong hydrogen refuelling station and hydrogen bus. As a leading company in the hydrogen energy field, CIMC Enric has formed an entire industrial chain covering the “Production, Storage, Transportation, Refuelling and Application” of hydrogen energy. We are committed to creating a green, convenient and economical integrated solution of hydrogen energy utilisation for our customers.
The Executive Director and President of CIMC Enric Mr. Yang Xiaohu, stated, “We are honoured to work with Citybus to participate in and support the development of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong. Today's official opening of the first hydrogen refuelling station and the first hydrogen bus in Hong Kong signifies substantial progress in the application of hydrogen energy in Hong Kong's transport sector. We will continue to support Citybus to develop additional production type hydrogen buses and large-scale hydrogen refuelling stations on the Hong Kong Island. It is believed that the hydrogen industry in Hong Kong will usher in a more rapid breakthrough in the future with the support of hydrogen-related regulations and incentives gradually introduced by the HKSAR Government. With the Company's capability in hydrogen energy equipment manufacturing and upstream, midstream and downstream integrated solutions, the Company will endeavour to build a complete hydrogen energy industry ecosystem in Hong Kong and join hands with all parties to facilitate Hong Kong's hydrogen energy development strategy and the achieve the “Dual Carbon” goal!”
