Volume 65

Public Acceptance of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCVs) and Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Hong Kong: A Comparative Analysis Peishan Li, Zheng Li*, Meng Ni*

Abstract

Achieving carbon neutrality in Hong Kong by mid- century essentially lies in integrating innovative technologies, including hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). This study explores public awareness, perceptions, and acceptance of HFCVs in Hong Kong, using electric vehicles (EVs) as a benchmark. The barriers and opportunities for their widespread adoption are identified. The results show significant differences in public awareness: only 26.0% of the public know about HFCVs, less than half of that of EVs. Despite minimal HFCV driving experience (1.5%), 18% express purchase intent, highlighting latent market potential. However, risk perception and infrastructure gaps remain significant challenges. Forty percent of respondents expressed concerns about the safety issue on the hydrogen. 40% of respondents expressed positive feedback on the local hydrogen refueling station construction. Infrastructure shortages (nearly 50%) are considered as the biggest barrier for wide adoption of HFCVs in Hong Kong. These findings underscore sociotechnical barriers, including limited public understanding of HFCVs’ advantages in heavy-duty applications. To bridge this gap, policymakers in Hong Kong are urged to expand infrastructure for hydrogen energy and implementing targeted public engagement strategies to improve public acceptance on HFCVs. This research offers actionable insights to transform Hong Kong’s latent HFCV receptivity into tangible progress toward decarbonization.

Keywords hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs), electric vehicles (EVs), public acceptance, public perception