According to the requirements of the “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”), applicants may have to settle payment for the construction project before any subsidy is granted. We therefore suggest you discuss estimated construction costs with fellow owners in your estate at your earliest convenience, and reach a consensus on the advance payment issue.

Applicants should also take note of the cost difference issue. According to the Environmental Protection Department’s “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” application notes, applicants must make up any difference if the selected contractor’s final cost of installation is higher than the market price estimated by the Environmental Protection Department’s adviser.

In order to help address applicants’ concerns over these issues, Smart Charge – having provided more than 500 properties with consultancy and technical proposals, as well as installing EV-charging solutions over the last five years – would be happy to arrange an onsite assessment and provide a preliminary proposal, as well as an estimated cost for your reference. This would expedite your estimation in respect of the budget required for installing EV-charging infrastructure.

See “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”) application notes at the Environmental Protection Department’s website: https://www.evhomecharging.gov.hk/downloads/application-notes-en.pdf

Yes. A separate electricity meter is needed for each parking space. The Deed of Mutual Covenant (“DMC”) is a private contract between the owners of apartments and the building’s property owner. EHSS applicants need to evaluate the implications and ramifications of installing electricity meters in the context of the DMC, according to terms agreed by the Environmental Protection Department, the construction project consultant and the incorporated owners committee. The above-mentioned scenario may change, depending on the situation on each estate. Smart Charge would be happy to provide information about construction works required when installing EV-charging infrastructure, and would help EHSS applicants evaluate the potential impact of a construction project on the building concerned.

According to Fire Services Department (“FSD”) Circular Letter No.4/2020 – Additional Fire Safety Requirements for Car Parking Facilities installed with Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities, estates that submitted building plans before September 1, 2020 are encouraged to, on a voluntary basis, install a fire detection system. However, as such additional fire safety requirements took effect from September 1, 2020, estates that submitted building plans after September 1, 2020 must upgrade existing fire safety facilities according to fire safety requirements.

If you plan to make an “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”) application and decide to install a fire detection system, installation works meeting EHSS requirements may be covered by the subsidy, subject to approval of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). For details, please refer to the EPD’s “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” application notes.

Find out more about F.S.D. Circular Letter 4/2020 – Additional Fire Safety Requirements for Car Parking Facilities installed with Electric Vehicle Charging Facilities at:
https://www.hkfsd.gov.hk/eng/source/circular/2020_04_eng_20200731_110104.pdf

Find out more about “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”) application notes at the Environmental Protection Department’s website:
https://www.evhomecharging.gov.hk/downloads/application-notes-en.pdf

Yes. The “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”) subsidy covers only the cost of installing EV charging-enabling infrastructure. When such infrastructure is installed, an estate/ EV owner needs to appoint a qualified Registered Electrical Contractor or Registered Electrical Worker to install EV-chargers at its own cost. However, please take note of the following:

1. A variety of EV chargers are available on the market, each with different specifications and functionality. Estates are encouraged to select a suitable and safe EV charger with care and decide whether to install one single model of EV charger for the entire car park, or allow individual EV owners to install EV chargers of their own choice.

2. If an estate allows individual EV owners to install EV chargers of their choice, a standard should be established for all EV chargers to meet. An estate should also consider consequences that may arise from allowing installation of different charger models in a car park. Factors to consider include overall look of a car park and issues such as whether the electricity supply would be affected in terms of safety and reliability, as well as whether such a scenario would add complexity to maintenance work.

3. Estates should also consider whether such an approach would produce challenges when carrying out future upgrade work, especially if the EV chargers concerned constitute a mix of brands and specifications. For example, would such an approach create difficulties when adding and running a load management system in the future?

Daily operations, maintenance work and annual health checks in respect of an EV-charging facility are not covered by subsidies from the “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”). EHSS applicants have to take ownership of such responsibilities, or pay a third party to handle such works.

According to the Environmental Protection Department’s “EV-charging at Home Subsidy Scheme” (“EHSS”) application notes, the EHSS subsidy will not cover works required to address a charging system’s need for more capacity after rolling out the infrastructure. If the estate runs short of electricity, applicants need to apply for an upgrade of power supply from the power company, or seek advice from a third party.