Home-grown electric vehicle mycar makes its first journey in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and EuAuto Technology Limited (EuAuto) today jointly announced the official launch of their home-grown electric vehicle mycar in Hong Kong. The launching ceremony was held at PolyU campus with Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, Prof. Timothy W. Tong,President of PolyU, and Mr Peter Sun, Chairman of EuAuto Technology Limited as the officiating guests.
With its body designed by internationally renowned Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, mycar has obtained the World Manufacturer Identification (WMI) Code earlier this year and it went on sales in many European countries including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Austria and Denmark.
It is the first Hong Kong-developed vehicle which fully complied with European standards, and also the first home-grown vehicle to hit the international market.
This year mycar has successfully met the roadworthiness requirements stipulated by the Government’s Transport Department and has recently been granted the vehicle type-approval as a private car. It is now available for sale in Hong Kong on the condition of travelling on roads with a speed limit at or under 50km/h.
The NEV version of mycaravailable in the local market has also been on sales in the European market.It can travel a distance of 110km on flat roads and can reach a maximum speed of 64km/h. It requires six to eight hours to be fully charged, which can be done from any regular household socket. It is capable of running on the road for 20 km and takes only 1.5 hour to rechargefully again.
PolyU President Prof. Tong said at the ceremony, “PolyU prides itself on its quality application-oriented R&D and close ties with business and industry. The development of mycar has truly testified to the practical value and commercial potential of PolyU’s R&D pursuits. Not only does mycar go in line with the Government’s policy address in promoting the use of electric vehicles, but also turns over a new leaf in pioneering the advancement of Hong Kong’s automotive industry.”
“Before EuAuto, no automobile manufacturing business has ever been developed in Hong Kong. It was a dream to build a micro car in Hong Kong back in 2003. To make thisdream come true,we know we need and we do contribute our greatest effort to engage expertise around the world. With the magic touch of the famous Italian designer Mr Giugiaro on the styling, complimented with the research and expertise from our strategic partners, PolyU, with supports from various industry partners, government, mycar team expertise from around the world: Italy, France, UK, Canada, Australia, Philippines, China and Hong Kong. This product is now able to balance the European stylish design and good quality at an affordable price to customers all over the world. Our dream of having a home-grown electric vehicle has finally come true!” said Mr Sun, Chairman of EuAuto Technology Limited.
The environmentally-friendly, zero-emission mycar will be sold at HK$97,000. To promote the use of electric vehicles, the HKSAR Government has exempted the First Registration Tax Waiver. The annual license fee costs only HK$440.
Both PolyU and EuAuto attach great importance to the further advancement of mycar. Building on the success of mycar, the team will keep up with their research and development efforts to enhance its performance and seek to integrate advanced technology to build a better electric vehicle in the near future.
At the beginning of next year, lithium-battery-driven and upgrade versions of mycar will be launched. There will be a significant improvement for the vehicle in terms of mileage and speed, in order to meet the expectation of Hong Kong’s Eco-car drivers.
In addition to PolyU's backup, mycar has received a funding of HK$2 million from the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission to support its further research and development.
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Annex 1
Milestones of mycar
In 2003, a brand new concept of first Hong Kong-developed eco-car originated from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) intrigued many people, but the PolyU researchers and the shareholders of EuAuto Technology Limited had faith in its feasibility. The eco-car project, mycar, started with a seed called “Innovation”. At the end of 2003, this concept vehicle, mycar, was debuted at Bologna Motor Show in Italy and immediately drew attention from the European media and its automobile industry upon completion of its outlook design by famous Italian automobile designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.
In 2004, the development of mycar was started in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong had no foundation of automobile production, developing this “first home-grown vehicle” not only needed the support from the PolyU researchers, but also the participation of the automobile experts from the overseas to lead the research team.
In mid 2005, a diesel-fueled micro-car was successfully developed. However, the oil price rapidly increased in 2005 and Hong Kong was one of the cities being affected most. It led the research team to switch to producing an electric vehicle (EV). The research team considered the importance of finding alternative forms of energy to replace oil as mycar is an eco-car. At the same time, the team realized that the local automobile industry had not paid much attention on EV and believed that mycar could hit the EV market and take the lead. With full support of the shareholders, the development of mycar, therefore, shifted to the EV direction.
In September 2007, the original model of mycar, an eco-car, was launched and subsequently drawn the attention of the overseas market. This has facilitated mycar to launch in the European market.
Year 2008 is the most important milestone for mycar. From the original model to its production, mycar had tackled many difficulties and was being recognizedfor its product and production plants in Europe.
In 2009, its mass production was commenced. Since the beginning of this year, mycar officially went on sales in many European countries, extending from the United Kingdom to France, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Ireland and so on.
In August 2009, mycar has successfully met the roadworthiness requirements stipulated by the Government’s Transport Department and has recently been granted the vehicle type-approval as a private car. The NEV version of mycar available in the local market has also been on sales in the European market. It can reach a maximum speed of 64 km / h and travel a distance of 80-110 km subject to road condition. It is now available for sale in Hong Kong on the condition of traveling on roads with a speed limited at or under 50 km/h. At the beginning of next year, lithium-battery-driven and upgrade versions of mycar will be launched. There will be a significant improvement for the vehicle in terms of mileage and speed, in order to meet the expectation of Hong Kong’s eco-car drivers. The environmentally-friendly, zero-emission mycar will be sold at HK$97,000. To promote the use of EV, the HKSAR Government has extended the First Registration Tax Waiver. The annual license fee costs only HK$440 and the battery charging fee is around HK$0.15 / km.
Annex 2
Upcoming Events
24 – 26 October 2009 Innovation Show on mycar @Plaza Hollywood
1st floor, Stars Atrium, Plaza Hollywood, Diamond Hill
31 October 2009 Eco Expo Asia
AsiaWorld – Expo
To experience the first ride on mycar, you may visit the above website for registration.
5 - 8 November 2009 InnoCarnival
Hong Kong Science Park
21 November 2009 Hong Kong Technology & Renewable Energy Events 2009
Hong Kong Science Park
Come to try on mycar!
3 – 5 December 2009 InnoDesign Tech Expo 2009
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
