First electric taxis debut in Hong Kong

Taxis a solution to the city's high levels of roadside pollution.

Hong Kong first electric taxis, called the BYD e6, began plying their trade May 18. The cars have been rented by the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, which will test them over the next six months.

The 45 bright red cars were launched by Chinese electric vehicle producer BYD, which is partly backed by US investment guru Warren Buffett.

The five-door crossover sedans can travel for 300 kilometers and are powered by iron phosphate batteries that take two hours to charge.

Wong Chung-keung, president and chairman of the association, said electric car saves on fuel costs and will allow taxi drivers to earn more. Wong said a standard taxi costs HK$0.8 per kilometer to run, while an electric car costs HK$0.2 to 0.3 per kilometer.

He called for more charging stations around the city to encourage taxi drivers to go electric. BYD is setting up 47 chargers in nine charging locations near car parks.

University of Hong Kong research showed pollution-related illnesses kill more than 3,000 residents a year.