Mock-up of the proposed hydrogen refueling station
(13 October 2022, Hong Kong) Templewater, through cooperation with selected stakeholders, intends to develop and build a network of hydrogen refueling stations and related infrastructure in Hong Kong, in order to promote the adoption of zero-emission fuel-cell electric vehicles in Hong Kong.
As another significant step in our hydrogen strategy, Citybus, an operating company under Bravo Transport Services Limited (“Bravo Transport”) which is a portfolio company of Templewater I, L.P. is proud to announce the plan to build Hong Kong’s first-ever hydrogen refueling station early next year and is in line with the government’s plans to test hydrogen fuel-cell buses in Hong Kong next year. The first refueling station will be backed and supported by Bravo Transport’s primary shareholders Templewater Group and Hans Energy Company Limited (0554.HK).
The hydrogen refueling station project is the first application of its kind received by the Hong Kong government and is yet another historical milestone achieved by Citybus following the earlier announcement of our zero-emission transformation campaign #MissionZero, with the launch of Hong Kong’s first-ever electric double-decker bus and the arrival of the world’s first tri-axle hydrogen fuel cell bus.
Hong Kong’s first hydrogen refueling station will be located in Citybus’ West Kowloon Depot. Pending gaining the relevant government approvals, the station could be operational as early as Q1 2023 and will be able to provide hydrogen refueling services for the world’s first tri-axle hydrogen fuel cell bus owned and operated by Citybus.
Templewater CEO and the Chairman of Bravo Transport, Mr. Cliff Zhang said: “We are incredibly excited about turning this next chapter in our path towards a zero-emission future! Bravo Transport and our operating company, Citybus, believe that both hydrogen fuel-cell and battery electric are viable solutions in our future #MissionZero journey. Our shareholders are making this key investment, to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology in Hong Kong and to critically support the Hong Kong government’s plans to test hydrogen fuel-cell buses in Hong Kong next year. It is also a further vote of confidence in the long-term prospect of the company, the city and a greener future.”
Citybus will aim to operate a full fleet of zero-emission buses by2045. With a maximum life cycle of eighteen years for a public bus in Hong Kong, the next five years of parallel trials, legislation development, preparation and testing with both external partners and the government will be a critical stage of the green energy transformation journey, before we aim to stop the future purchasing and deployment of new diesel buses in 2027. We are pleased to continue working with the government closely in a strong partnership to design the legislation and guidance and to ensure the development of critical new public infrastructure to allow the operation of zero-emission vehicles in Hong Kong.
About Citybus
Citybus is owned by Bravo Transport Services Limited and is committed to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Hong Kong that we serve, and providing safe and reliable bus services. The company employs over 5,000 staff, operates over 1,700 buses across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories and carries over 1 million customers per day. Bravo Transport Services Limited has an industry-leading bus fleet with most of the buses operating at Euro5 emissions standards or above.
