Taiwan aims to eliminate
two-stroke scooters by 2020. This is due to the contribution of this type of
motorcycles to overall air pollution in Taiwan. One of the cities implementing
measures of replacement is Taipei City.
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| Source: Focus Taiwan |
Taipei is the capital of Taiwan, with over 2,7 million
population. This population is sitting within an area of 271 square kilometers,
meaning it is a very densely populated city, with over 10,000 people/km² [i].
Taipei is not to be confused with New Taipei City, two separate administrative
entities, with New Taipei surrounding Taipei City. TPC, area wise, is much
smaller than New Taipei city, but much more densely populated: over 5 times as
much! Taipei City is the richest city in Taiwan, with the biggest government
budget and the richest population.
In January this year, Taipei City Government, and more
specifically, its Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a
two-stroke motorcycle scrappage program. Two-stroke motorcycles are a very
significant cause of air pollution in Taipei City. As one of the most popular
forms of transportation in the city, they produce, according to different
sources, from 5 to 18 (!!) times more air pollution than their four-stroke
counterparts, depending on the age of the latter.
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| Source: Wikivoyage |
Taipei is promoting the exchange, or at least control of emissions on two-stroke motorcycles. “According to the program, individuals domiciled in Taipei City who can produce emission examination records from the specific year (or within two years) of their old two-stroke motorcycle’s retirement can register for a reimbursement of NT$1,000”.[ii] This is in case the two-stroke motorcycle owners agree to scrap their vehicles.
Taipei City also aims not only to eliminate the two-stroke vehicles, but rather to replace them with electric scooters. Individuals who replace their old vehicles with new, electric ones, can receive up to NT$22,300 in subsidy to facilitate the change. In addition, the ones who provide a proof of low-income household status qualify to apply for an additional NT$10,000 in cash in case of scrappage, or subsidy of up to NT$15,000 in case of a purchase of a new electrical motorcycle.
This mounts on top of government subsidy program for Gogoro buyers. Gogoro is a Taiwanese electrical motorcycle manufacturer. The bikes base on the battery swapping system.
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| Source: Electrec |
Gogoro closely cooperates with the local government, building more battery swapping stations (Gogoro claims that there is a station every 1,3kms in Taipei City) and providing subsidy for the bikes- important to mention, quite a significant support. Individuals who purchase a new Gogoro are eligible for NT$15,000 government subsidy, and ones who exchange their two-stroke vehicle to Gogoro are eligible for another NT$7,000 of support, amounting to total of NT$22,000 of government subside for purchase of Gogoro.[iii] This means that a Gogoro electrical scooter, in the cheapest version (Gogoro 2) can be purchased for NT$51,800- a price similar to lower-middle class four-stroke new scooter, making it quite a deal, considering the technology involved in Gogoro, the attractive design, great reliability and comfort of riding, on top of obvious environment protection benefits.
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| Depending on the city, subsidy varies. Price in Taipei City after subsidy: 51,800. Source: Gogoro.com |
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| 115CC New Yamaha Cuxi. Price: approx. 65,000-70,000. Source: yamaha.com.tw |
In addition to subsidies, the commodity tax on electric bikes has been removed, and will remain so until the end of 2021, to drive the price lower, making them affordable.
The effects of plan are hard to measure at the moment since the policy is 4 months old, but what we know is that Taiwan aims to turn to zero-emission vehicles only by 2035. All combustion engine vehicle sales are planned to be banned by 2040[iv].
I think this is a great policy that will drive Taiwan to even greener future. One suggestion I could make is to allow expatriates to be eligible for the subsidy, to attract that high-earning part of society to the purchasing of electrical scooters prospects. The expat community is growing, and is not, at the moment, eligible for subsidy, which on top of lack of financing options, highly discourages the purchase.
What do you think? Do you have any experience with regard to electrical bikes? Any suggestions? Let's discuss!
Cheers,
Szymon
[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei
[ii] https://english.gov.taipei/News_Content.aspx?n=A11F01CFC9F58C83&sms=DFFA119D1FD5602C&s=6756C4C39123A718
[iii] https://promotion.gogoro.com/tw/gov-subsidies/
[iv] https://www.electrive.com/2018/01/08/taiwan-outlaw-fuel-powered-bikes-cars/
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