What is the status of the improvement to EV charging facilities on campus?

In support of the Government’s roadmap for the wider adoption of electric vehicles and HKUST’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality, the University has taken a proactive role in expanding EV charging infrastructure across the campus. In 2022, the Campus Management Office (CMO) launched an enhancement programme to equip at least 30% of the existing parking spaces on the Clear Water Bay campus with EV charging facilities, addressing the growing demand for EV charging services.

Over the past four years, CMO has significantly expanded the EV charging network on campus.  As of September 2026, a total of 257 EV chargers with various charging capacities have been installed to cater for diverse charging requirements and user needs, comprising:

• Medium Chargers (4 kW to 6 kW): 249 units
• Medium Chargers (21 kW): 3 units
• Fast Chargers (30 kW): 2 units
• Fast Chargers (60 kW): 1 unit
• Super-fast Chargers (240 kW): 2 units

In the next 12 months, CMO will prioritize the upgrade of the electrical power supply capacity serving the Indoor Car Park Building.  Upon completion of the upgrade, additional EV charging facilities will be installed, particularly for the parking spaces on LG3/F of the Indoor Car Park Building, further increasing the availability of charging services on campus.

It is anticipated that the number of EV chargers on campus will increase to approximately 500 by 2028, supported by the completion of ongoing enhancement works and the commissioning of new academic buildings equipped with additional EV charging facilities.  This expansion will further strengthen HKUST’s commitment to sustainable transportation and the transition toward a low-carbon campus.


Is it possible to expedite the installation of EV chargers in the Indoor Car Park Building to meet the growing demand for EV charging?

According to the enhancement plan, a total of 120 EV chargers will be installed in the Indoor Car Park Building by 2028.

However, it is important for the University community to recognize the significant challenges associated with deploying such a large number of EV chargers within an existing campus environment, particularly in a 30-year-old car park facility.  The electrical capacity of the Indoor Car Park Building is constrained and is primarily supplied from the campus District Cooling System (DCS), a critical infrastructure that provides central air-conditioning services essential for the University's teaching, research, and operational activities.  In recent years, the power demand of the DCS has increased substantially as a result of campus expansion and the commissioning of new buildings. The existing power supply is therefore approaching its practical capacity limit.  The installation of a large number of additional EV chargers without corresponding power infrastructure upgrades could adversely affect the reliability and resilience of the central air-conditioning system.

To achieve the target of 120 EV chargers while maintaining the reliability of critical campus infrastructure, a major upgrade of the electrical supply system serving the Indoor Car Park Building has been planned.  The upgrade will be implemented in two phases, with Phase 1 scheduled from November 2025 to March 2026 and Phase 2 scheduled from November 2026 to March 2027.  Upon completion of these works, sufficient electrical capacity will be available to support the planned expansion of EV charging facilities.


Will there be an implementation of an EV charging fee? If so, what will be the cost of charging?

At present, EV charging services on the HKUST campus are offered free of charge.  However, following the completion of the ongoing enhancement work on the EV charging facilities, the University may introduce a charging fee to support the sustainable operation of the expanded charging network.  Under the proposed charging model, the charging fee will be determined based on the user-pay principle, taking into account the electricity cost, along with the expenses associated with the operation, maintenance, management, and administration of the EV charging facilities.  The final details of the charging arrangement will be subject to the approval of top management.