Hong Kong launches first electric taxis in bid to curb pollution

BYD e6 Electric Cars, which will be used as taxis in Hong Kong, are seen during a launch ceremony in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

A worker cleans a BYD e6 Electric Car, which will be used as a taxi, during a launch ceremony in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang gets out from a BYD e6 Electric Car, which will be used as a taxi, during a launch ceremony in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang holds a car charger during a launch ceremony for the BYD e6 Electric Cars, which will be used as taxis, in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang inserts a charger into a BYD e6 Electric Car during a launch ceremony for the line of vehicles, which will be used as taxis, in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

A BYD E6 electric car, which will be used as a taxi, is seen plugged into a charging unit during a launch ceremony for the line vehicles in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Wang Chuanfu (centre), chairman and chief executive officer of BYD Auto, attends a launch ceremony of the BYD e6 Electric Cars, which will be used as taxis, in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

A BYD E6 electric car, which will be used as a taxi, is seen plugged into a charging unit during a launch ceremony for the line of vehicles in Hong Kong, on May 15, 2013. Forty-five of BYD's e6 Electric Cars will follow in the footsteps of Shenzhen and progressively join the fleet of taxis on Hong Kong's roads starting this month, the company said on Wednesday. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang (left), and Wang Chuan-fu, chairman and president of BYD walk past a BYD e6 electric taxi after a launching ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. -- FILE PHOTO: AP

A BYD e6 electric taxi is tested by reporters after a launching ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The first batch of 45 e6 taxis will progressively begin service in Hong Kong. -- FILE PHOTO: AP

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang (left), and Wang Chuan-fu, chairman and president of BYD Co Ltd., pose with a BYD e6 electric taxi after a launching ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The first batch of 45 e6 taxis will progressively begin service in Hong Kong. -- FILE PHOTO: AP

A BYD e6 electric taxi is displayed after a launching ceremony in Hong Kong on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The first batch of 45 e6 taxis will progressively begin service in Hong Kong. -- FILE PHOTO: AP

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang (centre) and Wang Chuanfu (left), chairman and chief executive officer of BYD Auto hold plugs during a launch ceremony of the BYD e6 electric cars, which will be used as taxis, in Hong Kong on May 15, 2013. Chinese carmaker BYD Co Ltd rolled out Hong Kong's first electric taxi fleet on Wednesday. The Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association said it is renting from BYD an initial fleet of 45 taxis for HK$8,000 ($1,000) each per month, although only six vehicles had licenses so far. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

A BYD e6 electric car, part of a fleet which will be used as taxis in Hong Kong, is seen plugged in for charging during a launch ceremony in Hong Kong on May 15, 2013. Chinese carmaker BYD Co Ltd rolled out Hong Kong's first electric taxi fleet on Wednesday. The Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association said it is renting from BYD an initial fleet of 45 taxis for HK$8,000 ($1,000) each per month, although only six vehicles had licenses so far. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

A BYD e6 electric car, part of a fleet which will be used as taxis in Hong Kong, is driven after a launch ceremony in Hong Kong on May 15, 2013. Chinese carmaker BYD Co Ltd rolled out Hong Kong's first electric taxi fleet on Wednesday. The Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association said it is renting from BYD an initial fleet of 45 taxis for HK$8,000 ($1,000) each per month, although only six vehicles had licenses so far. -- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS