We all know the limitation for EV charging in Hong Kong upfront. Why made such complaint after you gave up the convenient in gas cars?
A large number of EV owners here didn't know of the limitation. They were first time EV purchasers, without a charging facility at home/office. They were told by salesmen "it's ok - just public charge, for free" (and weren't told about the queues), by government "We're got 1,000+ public charging stations, for free" (and weren't told that most were 10A, and the government ones were pretty much always ICEd), and by charging networks "We'll help you install a charger in your home" (and weren't told that in 99% of the cases the BM/OC won't permit the install).
OK, I accept that is probably an exaggeration of the truth; but people hear what they want to hear.
The government is now falling back on the 'public charging is for convenience only, and should not be relied on' statement, but that is not what people's perception is, or what the message said a few years ago. They watch the SmartCharge ads show how easy EV charging installation is, and see the government touting '1,000+ public charging stations' (vs how many petrol stations?).
Have a look at the current government message here:
Promotion of Electric Vehicles in Hong Kong | Environmental Protection Department
FRT concessions, a HK$300 million fund, HK$180 million for buses, 11,000+ EVs on the road, 73 EV models from 8 countries, upgrades to medium chargers, private companies that provide one-stop EV charging service, 1,700+ public chargers, a support hotline, etc. It all sounds so positive and rosy. The reality, we know, is far from that.
And the saddest reality is that those 11,000 EVs make up <2% of the vehicles on the road. Just a small handful of commercial EVs (where the technology would make the most difference).
The situation with ICEing of EV charging facilities in government car parks has gone on far too long. Government parking is now pretty much the only place this goes on (as most other charging facilities have moved to a reserved for charging model), and Government consistently refuses to do anything about it. The installation of all those EVSEs, without the ability to use them, is quite simply a waste of public finances.
I'm protesting. I just don't think a bunch of Teslas driving slow through Central will send the right message.