Smart electric-powered vehicles are the wave of the future in cutting carbon dioxide emissions, and they play an important role in the emerging "intelligent industries" promoted by the government, said Premier Mao Chi-kuo today.
After hearing the Ministry of Economic Affairs' (MOEA) report on its action plan for the development of such vehicles, Mao said that the smart electric vehicle industry in Taiwan has begun to show preliminary results following years of collaboration among various government agencies, and related industries are attracting growing attention worldwide. Central and local governments should continue working together to help grow and upgrade the industry.
According to the Executive Yuan, of the total atmospheric particulates produced by various emission sources, 23 percent come from motor vehicles, making them one of the largest sources of pollution. To control PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter) emission, electric vehicles can be an effective tool as they emit zero PM2.5 when in motion. Canadian researchers have shown that elimination of 100 diesel-powered large passenger cars in favor of electric vehicles will reduce 8,198 kilograms of PM2.5 annually.
In its efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions, said the premier, the government will endeavor to forge Taiwan into a world-leading manufacturer of green vehicles and a model of eco-friendly transportation. The Executive Yuan therefore has amended the action plan, made pragmatic adjustments to its policy direction, and conducted pilot projects under the action plan.
Under cross-ministerial cooperation and promotion, the industry has made progress in terms of the quality, quantity and functions of electric vehicles, noted the premier. The action plan thus far has put 134 electric passenger buses on the road and subsidized 31,919 electric motorcycles island-wide.
Looking ahead, the government will continue to replace old buses with electric ones, implement a pilot project for intelligent electric vehicles, and subsidize and guide businesses to invest in electric motorcycle research and development. Premier Mao said as the industry grows and becomes more popular with the public, businesses can expect to reap benefits and the country can achieve its carbon reduction targets.
Now that the electric vehicle industry is at the stage of being upgraded, it is essential to build momentum for domestic companies and allow the public to experience the benefits of low-noise and low-polluting electric vehicles, Mao said. To give products broader appeal, innovative ideas and business models are needed, such as selling vehicles and batteries separately, providing battery rentals, and forming alliances with other industries. The premier also highlighted the importance of designing intelligent electric vehicles offering smart services as a show of Taiwan's innovation and ingenuity.
For electric busses, Premier Mao at the meeting instructed the MOEA and the Ministry of Science and Technology to form a task force for increasing the availability of electric buses, and he asked the MOTC to consider adjusting subsidies for the buses. As for electric motorcycles, the premier asked the MOEA to help businesses set up battery swap stations at gas stations and other sites. The Environmental Protection Administration was directed to adjust subsidies for replacing two-stroke motorcycles with electric ones or advanced electric motorcycles.
The premier also called for integration of information and communications technologies and traditional industries. This would beef up the supply chain, transform, upgrade and add value to the industry, and boost the global competitiveness of Taiwanese companies.