Urban Access Solutions Company Limited (“UAS”), an access control and electric vehicle (EV) charging platform company, has collaborated with PetroChina International (Hong Kong) Corporation Limited (“PCHK”) to develop and roll out EV charging services for 22 parking spaces at MegaBox, including four parking spaces connected with super chargers. The chargers, officially launched this week, are the first batch of EV charging facilities provided by PCHK in Hong Kong.
The EV chargers at MegaBox are available to the public thanks to the fruitful multi-party collaboration, with each entity bringing strategic value. UAS and its EV charging and smart parking platform, Jove, act as the collaborative platform connecting EV charging value chain partners and providing essential software solutions, while PCHK provides the EV charging station solution which includes installation and operation of the EV charging facilities. MegaBox, an iconic shopping mall situated at the core of Kowloon Bay's business district, provides the prime location for these charging points.
Both UAS and PCHK are expanding their business scopes to include EV charging solutions in support of the government’s roadmap for popularising EVs in Hong Kong. As they recognise the potential and advantages of each other in their respective industries, they wish to explore opportunities of cooperation with the goal of developing and managing public EV charging facilities in Hong Kong. They welcome more partners, including other shopping malls and property developers, to work together to drive the expansion of Hong Kong's EV charging network and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.
Collaborating for a smarter and greener future
Hong Kong has seen a surge in EV adoption in recent years, with close to 80% of new private car registrations in January to May this year being electric, according to government data. While the total number of EVs in the city grew to over 95,000 by the end of May 2024, the number of EV chargers available for public use remained at less than 9,000, representing a huge gap in the ratio of around one public charger for more than 10 EVs. Given the strong demand for more EV charging facilities, UAS and PCHK are joining forces bolstering Hong Kong's EV charging network, to accelerate the green transformation and help build a carbon-neutral smart city.
Beyond providing chargers at MegaBox, Jove will continue to act as a collaborative platform connecting key stakeholders to bring a convenient network of EV chargers at various touch points across the city for a seamless and integrated experience. Jove’s EV charging App was rolled out in December 2023 with the first batch of its EV charging points installed in a shopping mall. Looking ahead, UAS aims to expand its charging point coverage to provide a broad EV charger network covering diverse locations encompassing shopping malls, car parks, MTR premises, as well as petrol stations to help alleviate pain points currently experienced by EV drivers - our eco-friendly pioneers in the transport sector, including range anxiety, difficulty searching for and reserving chargers, and the lack of transparency in charging service or pricing information. Jove hopes to connect EV charging value chain partners including landlords, property management service providers, car park operators, EV charger owners and equipment manufacturers, to build an ecosystem that better integrates EV services, bringing greater convenience to EV drivers and citizens. Through Jove, UAS aims to extend the Green Reach to EV-related last-mile transportation.
"Our collaboration with PCHK and MegaBox represents a significant stride towards advancing sustainable mobility and realising our vision of a carbon-neutral smart city in Hong Kong," stated Mr Kelvin Chan, Head of UAS. "By providing EV charging and smart parking solutions through Jove, we are dedicated to establishing an accessible network of EV chargers across the city covering diverse touch points. Our goal is to seamlessly integrate EV charging services, providing EV drivers with a convenient and unified experience, while also supporting the government's initiative to promote widespread EV adoption. Through collaborative efforts in pursuing EV charging facility projects and driving the adoption of EVs, we aim to contribute to the development of a robust and sustainable EV charging infrastructure that aligns with the government's roadmap and our commitment to a greener future."
Powering Hong Kong’s green transformation
“Around four out of every five newly registered private cars in Hong Kong are electric,” said Mr Sun Jin Hua, General Manager of PetroChina International (Hong Kong) Corporation Limited. “This is a clear shift toward a greener transportation option. PCHK aims to introduce different partners to collaborate on developing EV charging services. Among them, we cooperate with UAS and provide EV charging services at MegaBox. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for PCHK to foray from the traditional oil and gas industry into green EV charging space and provide more comprehensive services for our drivers, thereby meeting the growing sustainability needs in the transport sector. Together with UAS, we are helping to bridge the gap in how transportation can promote environmental sustainability.”
"MegaBox is proud to be part of this collaborative initiative that promotes sustainability and enhances the customer experience at our shopping mall," said Mr Victor Ng, Senior Director of MegaBox. "By providing EV charging services, we are not only supporting the growing demand for electric vehicles in Hong Kong but also offering convenience and accessibility to our valued customers. We believe that embracing green technologies is critical if we want to move toward a better and more environmentally friendly future. We are thrilled to be part of this positive change alongside our partners."
As an EV charging platform, Jove offers convenient features for EV drivers such as charger availability checking and auto payment. At locations where Jove’s smart parking functions are available, drivers can enjoy seamless parking features such as contactless entry and exit of car parks, guidance to parked cars and more.
To learn more about UAS: https://www.mtrlab.com.hk/en/innovative-solutions/Urban-Access-Solutions/ .
