The Hong Kong government is providing a subsidy of HK$0.5 per liter for taxis, public light buses, and school private light buses to use liquefied petroleum gas as fuel.

The Hong Kong government's inter-departmental surveillance team for fuel supply announced today (May 27) that starting from 12:00 a.m. on May 31 (Sunday), the government will provide a subsidy of HK$0.5 per liter of liquefied petroleum gas to taxis, public light buses, and school private light buses. This temporary measure will last for two months, until 11:59 p.m. on July 30 (Thursday). A government spokesperson stated that the temporary measure aims to reduce operating costs for local commercial vehicles (taxis, public light buses, and school private light buses) using liquefied petroleum gas as their main fuel, in order to alleviate their pricing pressures. It is estimated that approximately 16,900 liquefied petroleum gas taxis (including hybrid vehicles), around 3,440 petroleum gas public light buses (including Green Minibuses and Red Minibuses), and about 170 petroleum gas school private light buses will benefit from this measure. To provide the subsidy in a convenient manner, oil companies will directly offer a discounted rate of HK$0.5 per liter of liquefied petroleum gas to all liquefied petroleum gas (including hybrid vehicles) taxis, public light buses, and school private light buses at a total of 66 gas stations across Hong Kong (including 12 dedicated gas stations). No registration or application is required. To ensure proper use of public funds, the government has signed agreements with six oil companies (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, ExxonMobil, Shell, PetroChina, Caltex, and Sinopec) to establish responsibilities and terms, clearly outlining the operation arrangements of the subsidy scheme. This includes the government reimbursing designated oil companies the actual amount undercharged due to the subsidy scheme, oil companies maintaining complete and accurate records, and submitting reports to the government weekly along with audit arrangements after the subsidy scheme is completed. The Transport Department has overseen the completion of system testing by oil companies to ensure smooth operation. The Hong Kong Transport Department has started promoting the scheme, including posting posters at gas stations across Hong Kong, the Transport Department's Licensing Office, etc. Staff will also distribute leaflets at major taxi and light bus terminals, as well as at all dedicated gas stations across various districts in Hong Kong to inform frontline drivers about the arrangements. Details of the subsidy scheme will also be published on the Hong Kong Transport Department's website, the "HKeMobility" mobile application, and in communications sent to relevant industry stakeholders by the Transport Department.