Only by providing more and more convenient electric vehicle charging stations, the Macau government will make residents more willing to use sustainable energy powered vehicles, the Chairman of the Macau Ecological Society, Hoi Wai Tim told MNA
Macau (MNA) – The Chairman of the Macau Ecological Society, Hoi Wai Tim, told Macau News Agency (MNA) that the Macau government should focus on building more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, so that residents are more willing to change to sustainable energy vehicles.
There are currently 225 EV’s registered in Macau with 106 charging stations available and able to service 119 vehicles.
Recently the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA) told MNA that because charging stations usage rate is not ‘very high’, a mid-term evaluation will be conducted this year to decide ‘whether there’s a need to increase charging parking spaces or not’.
With EV’s representing only 0.1 per cent of the total vehicles registered in Macau, Mr. Hoi told MNA electric vehicles are not popular because charging
stations are ‘not enough’ and ‘inconvenient’.
However the Natural Sciences Doctor stated he didn’t agree tax breaks, such as the ones provided by the Hong Kong government, should be granted for EV purchases.
“The government should build more charging stations. They are also using electric parking meters right now so I recommend charging equipment to replace old-style parking meters,” Mr. Hoi told MNA.
The environment expert mentioned that according to Report on the State of the Environment of Macau 2016, the majority of air pollutants such as NO2, CO and O3 in the city originated from transport.
“We support the government to promote electric vehicles and electric public buses. On an environment perspective, such measures have a direct benefit on moderate air pollution if electric vehicles are used instead of gasoline vehicles. Air pollutants could be reduced by at least 25 per cent and air quality will be better,” he added.
The Macau government has also recently launched a public tender for 100 new taxi service licences limited to electric vehicles.
