At the Cabinet's weekly meeting Thursday, Premier Su Tseng-chang received a briefing on the Ministry of Economic Affairs' efforts to upgrade and transform Taiwan's motorcycle industry. Many manufacturers are meeting the demands of the times and addressing environmental concerns by going electric and incorporating smart technologies into motorcycles and scooters, and this has already become the mainstream trend, the premier said.
Long renowned as the "motorcycle kingdom," Taiwan ranks among the top globally in terms of motorcycle ownership, parts and component manufacturing, and industry chain completeness. The industry is therefore very important for people's livelihoods, Premier Su said. More than an essential means of transportation, the scooter holds great sentimental value to the Taiwanese. Many young people use it to get to work, small families transport kids to school on it, and others ride it on adventurous outings.
As the country continues to promote internal combustion engine motorcycles alongside electric ones, the government will encourage manufacturers to develop quality electric motorcycles as well as low-polluting combustion versions. To accelerate the replacement of aging scooters, subsidies will be available for the purchase of electric vehicles or fuel-powered vehicles that comply with Taiwan's upcoming 2021 emission standards. The government will also help guide the transformation of motorcycle service shops by providing basic training on electric scooter maintenance and repair skills. Additionally, special loans will be available to help shops seeking to upgrade operations.