Premier Jiang Yi-huah today pledged government efforts to forge a low-carbon, zero-pollution environment on Taiwan's offshore islands by promoting the use of electric motorcycles.
After being briefed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on efforts to promote electric motorbikes on offshore islands, the premier said the initiatives combine the resources of numerous government agencies. The MOEA offers subsidies on the purchase of these two-wheelers to residents nationwide, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) provides similar subsidies to offshore island residents only, and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) provides subsidies for electric motorcycles rentals.
"The government's target is to replace 85 percent of the offshore islands' fuel-burning rental motorcycles with electric-powered versions over the next four years," said Jiang. He requested the MOEA, the EPA and the MOTC to integrate their subsidy programs into the intelligent electric motorcycles development strategy and action plan approved by the Executive Yuan on May 29.
"With these government resources, we hope that electric motorcycles will become the main mode of transportation for offshore island residents and tourists alike. These vehicles will also save energy, reduce carbon and create a pollution-free tourism environment."
Taiwan's effort to develop electric motorbikes is in line with current international trends, Jiang said. In recent years, government incentives in the form of subsidies have helped lay a preliminary foundation for the electric motorcycle industry. In Penghu County, for instance, one of every three new motorcycles purchased in the past three years run on electricity.
Looking ahead, the offshore islands will become an important market for electric motorcycles, the premier continued. The islands' closed environments can be used to develop a viable business model that brings these scooters into the tourism rental market. Such a model can also be expanded in the future to Taiwan proper and overseas markets.
Taiwan's offshore islands include Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Green Island, Orchid Island and Xiaoliuqiu, each offering its own unique flair. Developing low-carbon tourism through electric vehicles will promote the sustainable development of these islands, revive local economies, and improve the quality of life for residents, said the MOEA.
As for hydrogen fuel cell scooters, another type of clean-energy vehicle, the premier asked the MOEA and the Ministry of Science and Technology to continue following the industry's development closely and to provide assistance when necessary. In 2009, the Executive Yuan approved an electric-powered motorcycle industry development plan, which laid a foundation for Taiwan's electric scooter industry by setting up a supply chain for whole vehicles and individual parts.