Construction of Hong Kong’s first public automatic hydrogen charging system for electric vehicles, set to begin operation in the second quarter of 2026, kicked off on Friday at the city’s Science Park, signaling a bold step toward a sustainable future.  

The project, jointly initiated by the Hong Kong and China Gas Co Ltd (Towngas) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp (HKSTP), is to serve as a demonstration hub for hydrogen-based EV charging in the city.

The new system, which will run automatically, uses hydrogen extracted from the city’s gas network to generate electricity for EV charging, producing only water vapor as a byproduct.

Chief Executive Officer of HKSTP Albert Wong Hak-keung stressed the growing global momentum behind hydrogen-powered mobility and the importance of practical action in tackling climate change. He said that as hydrogen charging solutions gain traction worldwide, Hong Kong’s new system is set to inspire further adoption of clean energy in the city’s transport sector.

“This new hydrogen system at Science Park is not only a demonstration of hydrogen’s potential for EV charging, but also a catalyst for Hong Kong’s green mobility transformation, encouraging more businesses to adopt clean energy,” Wong said.

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The project’s launch comes at a critical time as Hong Kong’s appetite for electric vehicles continues to surge.

In reply to a query from a local lawmaker on May 14, the government stated that the number of EVs registered in the city has soared to over 110,000, an eightfold increase over the past five years, placing mounting pressure on the city’s charging infrastructure. Currently, about seven out of every 10 newly registered private cars in the city are electric private cars, and the growth rate is among the highest in the world.

While nearly 100,000 parking spaces now offer EV charging, government officials acknowledge that innovative solutions are needed to keep pace with demand and support Hong Kong’s ambitious climate goals.

Hydrogen fuel cells, already in use in select transport and construction sectors globally, are now being trialed in Hong Kong as a means to diversify the city’s energy sources and reduce reliance on traditional fossil fuels. The new system is designed to operate fully automatically, supplying up to five 7-kilowatt charging points daily, and features built-in energy storage to ensure consistent power delivery.

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Tse Chin-wan, secretary for Environment and Ecology, highlighted Hong Kong’s sustainable progress in cutting carbon emissions and the strategic importance of hydrogen energy. He said that the project makes use of the city’s extensive gas pipeline network to extract hydrogen, serving as a demonstration for future applications. Tse reaffirmed the government’s support for more hydrogen pilot projects, with the goal of making Hong Kong a regional showcase for hydrogen technology.

“As we look to the future, the government will continue to support and encourage the industry to explore more hydrogen pilot and collaborative projects, driving Hong Kong to become a demonstration base for hydrogen technology,” Tse said. “This pioneering project injects new energy into our goal of building a sustainable, low-carbon city.”

Huang Yawen contributed to the story.