Transport and Logistics
As the need for clean and innovative technology in the aviation, maritime and automotive sectors grows, the UK is leading the way in creating clean technology that can support Hong Kong to create connected communities and enhance economic growth and productivity.
A big challenge for both the UK and Hong Kong is air pollution, and the transport sector is one of the biggest sources. Hong Kong has already put in place various initiatives including the New Energy Transport Fund to encourage trade organisations and NGOs to utilise green innovative transport technologies.
The UK’s cutting-edge technology and highly advanced transport R&D ecosystem can help facilitate Hong Kong’s ambition for the popularisation of electric vehicles by 2035. A common pain point for electric vehicles is battery life and enough charging facilities. The UK is home to Europe’s first mass production battery factory for electric vehicles and Hong Kong is developing reliable, readily available charging stations.
UK Industry Snapshot
- 1st to fly the world’s commercial-grade hydrogen-powered aircraft.
- 1st fleet of hydrogen double decker busses produced in the world.
- 80% of CO2 emissions reduced per ship using wind-powered assisted vessels to ship goods across the world’s oceans.
- 2030 is when the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK will be stopped, becoming the fastest G7 country to decarbonise vehicles.
Case Study
Alexander Dennis, one of the world’s largest, independent bus manufacturers, has a long-standing relationship with Hong Kong’s largest bus operator The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited (KMB). The company is supplying thousands of low emission buses to the city, whilst exploring options to go electric.
Commercial Opportunities
- The UK is seeking investment in all areas of the EV supply chain: batteries, power electronics, motors and fuel cells. We are actively engaging with companies interested to invest in the UK all along the value chain from materials to finished product.
- The UK’s Faraday Challenge is investing up to £318 million in research and innovation projects and facilities to drive the growth of a strong battery business in the UK. As a part of this challenge, the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre is the first facility of its kind in the world. The £120 million investment supports companies to quickly develop their capabilities to manufacture batteries, scale up and expand to global markets.
- Driving the Electric Revolution challenge is investing £80 million in electrification technologies including power electronics, electric machines and drives (PEMD). The investment will support the UK’s push towards a net-zero carbon economy and contribute to the development of clean technology supply chains.
Company Spotlight
Jaguar Land Rover
A world of zero emissions, zero accidents, zero congestion. Our ambition is to make our societies safer and healthier, and our environments cleaner through relentless innovation. Adapting our products and services to the rapidly-changing world around us.
Urban-Air Port
Urban-Air Port is a UK based start-up committed to designing, developing and manufacturing innovative Zero-Emission ground infrastructure for future Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Our mission is to remove the largest single constraint to sustainable air mobility, i.e. the lack of infrastructure, and to significantly cut congestion and air pollution from passenger and cargo transport.
Meet Our Sector Lead
Chee Chan
Associate Director, Infrastructure (Transportation)
Chee is an Associate Director at the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) at the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong. His focus is on the aviation and transport sectors, unlocking opportunities to support UK businesses to export their products and services to Hong Kong and Macao. He has been working in trade promotion since 2014 and has prior experience working at the UK Trade & Investment team (UKTI) leading on inbound investment on the retail and consumer goods sector.