The first cross-border electric tourist coach for travel between Hong Kong and Shenzhen commenced operation on Monday, with one-month of free rides on offer to passengers as a celebration of the 27th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on July 1.

During the coach’s launching ceremony, its developer also announced it would build a large charging and maintenance station in Tai Sang Wai, Yuen Long, to support the vehicle’s operation and expand Hong Kong’s market for electric commercial vehicles.

It will be equipped with 3,000 amperes of power and 65 charging piles, covering over 70,000 square feet. The station is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024.

The Ankai A9 electric tourist coach, designed to provide cross-border transport, was co-designed and produced by Hong Kong International Electric Vehicles (Holdings) Ltd and Anhui Ankai Automobile Co, Ltd. It was introduced to Hong Kong by Sinoway (China) Ltd.

From June 25 to July 24, six free rides between Sheung Shui in Hong Kong and Man Kam To in Shenzhen will be available to passengers.

Free tickets will be distributed at the ticket offices in Sheung Shui and Man Kam To one hour before the coach’s departure. Each person is allowed one free pass each journey on a first come, first served basis.

The Ankai A9 has a groundbreaking range of 430 kilometers and a slope-climbing capacity of 25 percent. It is specifically tailored to address Hong Kong’s geographical environment, as well as current charging facilities limitations. Compared to traditional coaches powered by fossil fuels, the Ankai A9 costs 70 percent less to fuel.

According to Sinoway (China), all the company’s 20 diesel buses traveling on the Sheung Shui-Man Kam To route will be replaced with electric buses within the next two years.

In addition to the 49-seat Ankai A9, a 65-seat electric coach of the same type also made its debut at the ceremony. It will serve as a convenient transportation option for residents commuting between various estates, and facilitate employee transportation.

Hong Kong International Electric Vehicles will gradually introduce various models of medium-sized buses, minibuses, and double-decker buses in the future, providing more options for electric commercial passenger vehicles in the local market, according to a spokesman for the company.

During the ceremony, Chan Han-pan, chairman of the Legislative Council Panel on Transport, called for the Hong Kong government to further improve the support facilities for electric vehicles, and provide more ease in the application process for changes of land use and connection to the electricity grid.

Chan added that electric vehicle operators could apply for subsidies under the New Energy Transportation Fund, but the application process is complicated and the vetting process is lengthy. He said he hopes that the government can further streamline the procedures.