[Daily Knowledge] Current Status of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Hong Kong

Editor's In-Depth Analysis | Hong Kong's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Status (2025 Edition)

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1. Overview of Charging Facility Development in Hong Kong

1.1 The popularity of electric vehicles drives the demand for charging

• In 2024, the number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong exceeded 70,000 for the first time, accounting for more than 50% of newly registered private cars.
• With the surge in demand for charging, the government and private institutions have accelerated construction in recent years.

1.2 Number and distribution of charging stations

• Official data (June 2024) : There are more than 11,000 public charging stations in Hong Kong
  • Fast charge (DC Fast Charge) about 1,500
  • Medium/Normal Charge: approximately 6,000
  • Slow (Standard Charge) about 3,500
• Covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong, with a focus on:
  • Shopping mall/supermarket parking lots (such as Sun Hung Kai Properties, New World Development, Link REIT, Fortune 500, etc.)
  • Government public car parks
  • Some housing estates, office buildings and hotels

1.3 Policy promotion

• Government target : "Increase the number of public charging stations to 15,000 by 2025 and 20,000 by 2030"
• EV Charging Subsidy Scheme for Housing Estates: Subsidizes the installation of charging infrastructure in private residential car parks. Applications exceeded 10,000 by 2024.
• In recent years, new buildings/newly completed housing estates generally have reserved pipes or charging ports for EV charging.

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2. Charging Types and Technology Status

2.1 Three major charging specifications

2.2 Charging plug specifications

• Type 2 (AC) : The most popular in Hong Kong, European standard, supported by almost all new cars
• CHAdeMO (DC) : Mainly Japanese cars, such as Nissan Leaf
• CCS2 (DC) : The mainstream fast charging specification for new electric vehicles such as German, Korean, and Tesla
• Tesla only : Model 3/Y/X/S supports Supercharger and Type 2

2.3 Charging Network Operators

• CLP : Most public fast/medium-speed charging stations in the New Territories West and Kowloon
• HKE : The main force in Hong Kong Island
• Tesla Supercharger Network : Exclusive
• Shell Recharge, HKeMobility, HKT : Emerging private platforms expanding
• Real estate developers such as Link REIT, Sun Hung Kai Properties, and New World Development : Establishing their own charging networks and supporting app booking and payment.

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3. Current Biggest Pain Points and Real User Experience

3.1 Imbalance between berth supply and demand

• During holidays/working hours, charging stations in popular areas (such as shopping malls, transportation hubs, and housing estates) are highly saturated.
• Sometimes we see "parking space not fully occupied" or "parking space hogging", which wastes resources and makes car users feel helpless.

3.2 Fast charging stations are still insufficient

• Fast charging stations are unevenly distributed, with limited options in some New Territories or remote areas.
• Even with fast charging, you need to wait during popular hours, especially at Tesla Supercharger stations

3.3 Progress of charging upgrades in housing estates varies

• Most old private housing estates and old public housing estates do not have existing charging facilities. Applications for installation are complicated and require the consent of the owners' corporation.
• The application process for the "EV Charging Easy in Housing Estates" subsidy takes time, and actual completion may take a year or more.

3.4 Different platforms have different fees and payment methods

• Some platforms support Octopus, credit cards, and App payments, but some require membership registration first, which is a cumbersome process.
• Pricing transparency is improving, but the price gap between medium and fast charging is large (generally $2-$5/kWh, medium and fast charging $6-$8/kWh, Tesla Supercharger $3-4/kWh)

3.5 Real user sharing

• Some people think that "charging in the parking lot on weekdays is enough, and I don't wash my car on weekends and I want to fast charge it."
• However, car owners who live in old buildings without parking spaces or charging facilities have to look for charging spaces on a daily basis and check the app before planning their trip.
• Once the charging is in high demand, the waiting time will be extended and charging anxiety will easily occur.

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4. Government and industry continue to upgrade measures

4.1 The public charging network continues to expand

• From 2024 to 2025, the government aims to have at least one fast-charging hub in each district.
• Large shopping malls/parking lots gradually expand fast-charging and medium-speed charging stations
• Plans to introduce a pilot program for "super-fast charging" (over 150kW) to support the next generation of high-performance electric vehicles

4.2 Subsidy for Charging Infrastructure in Housing Estates

• "EV Charging Easy in Housing Estates" attracted the most attention, and subsidized the installation of "pre-installed charging pipes" in every parking space.
• Newly built homes have pre-installed charging pipes for easy installation
• The government encourages owners' corporations to actively apply, with the goal of having all private parking spaces equipped with the system by 2035.

4.3 Digitalization and App Optimization

• Launch one-stop apps (such as HKeMobility, CLP EV App, Tesla App, etc.) to instantly check the status of charging stations
• Supports scheduled charging, instant payment, and usage query to improve usage efficiency

4.4 Gradual marketization of charges

• Most free charging stations will gradually be charged to encourage “charge and go” and reduce the phenomenon of charging stations being occupied.
• Fast charging charges are higher, but in exchange for a faster rotation rate

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V. Future Development Trends

5.1 Super-fast charging and battery swapping technologies are gradually introduced

• The new generation of electric vehicles supports over 150kW fast charging, which can reach 80% in 15 minutes.
• Some brands (such as NIO) are promoting the "battery swap station" model, which may be introduced to Hong Kong in the future.

5.2 Expansion of charging networks in commercial and industrial areas

• Support for the gradual completion of charging facilities for electric trucks, electric minibuses and taxis
• Facilitate the transformation of commercial vehicle owners and reduce emissions

5.3 Smart Parking and Charging

• New shopping malls/parking lots introduce smart parking + charging reservation systems to improve resource utilization

5.4 Policy coordination

• The long-term goal is to achieve full electrification by 2050, with all newly registered vehicles to be zero-emission.
• Resident and car owner education and promotion continue to strengthen

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6. Editor’s Tips: How to Play the Best?

1. Before buying a car, check whether the housing estate can install a private charger . It is most convenient to have a private parking space.
2. If you live in public housing or don’t have your own parking space , it’s recommended to choose an area with a good charging network coverage and reserve charging time when planning your daily schedule.
3. Use the app more often to check the real-time charging status to avoid wasted trips.
4. It is recommended to reserve fast charging and ultra-fast charging for emergency or long-distance use . It is more economical to use medium/slow charging on weekdays.
5. If you encounter a situation where the lanes are full but the cars have not been moved , you can take a photo and report it to the platform to promote improvements in the industry.
6. Housing estates/owners’ committees should make good use of government funding schemes and plan to upgrade infrastructure as early as possible.

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7. Editor’s Summary

Hong Kong's electric vehicle charging infrastructure has developed rapidly over the past three years, with both quantity and variety increasing significantly. However, demand and supply remain in a constant stalemate. The biggest challenges currently lie in a shortage of fast-charging stations and the lack of widespread access to charging in residential estates. However, the overall trend is positive, especially with policy support and market support, and the system will mature further over the next five years. We recommend doing your research before buying a car and choosing the right charging solution to truly enjoy a new life of zero-emission, zero-hassle electric mobility!

If you have any questions about applying for charging in residential complexes, operating charging apps, compatibility with different car models, etc., please leave a message and the editor will help you break them down one by one!