Hong Kong's first hydrogen-powered bus will take to the city's streets in January, Citybus said on Thursday.

The government has given permission for the company to operate a refuelling station and use the double-decker for services in Kowloon.

Vincent Fung, Citybus' operations and engineering director, said the company will introduce at least five more hydrogen buses next year, to compare their performance with those powered by electricity and diesel.

He said the firm's goal is to completely switch to zero-emission buses by 2045, in line with the government's target for Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality.

At a kicking-off ceremony for the new bus, Chief Executive John Lee said developing new energy transport is the trend, amid climate change.

"Franchised buses are Hong Kong's main public transport, carrying more than three million passengers every day. I am very pleased to see that Hong Kong's franchised bus operators are actively responding to the government's environmental policies," he said.