Taiwan’s government has been offering subsidies for people who buy electric scooters. The goal is to encourage more people to go green. But starting this year, those subsidies won’t be as big as they used to be.
This year, the economics ministry and the Environmental Protection Administration are cutting subsidies for people who buy electric scooters by NT$6,000 (US$200). That could make people think twice.
One scooter rider surnamed Liao says the lifespan for batteries is about two to three years. And for drivers who opt for a plan that allows unlimited battery swaps, the monthly fee plus maintenance costs will be about 10% more than for vehicles that run on gas.
The latest transportation industry figures show that it costs NT$9,572 (US$320) to keep a regular scooter in good condition. For an electric scooter, it costs 10% higher: about NT$10,505 (US$350).
This scooter repair shop owner, surnamed Chen, says electric scooters cost less to repair, but you have to change batteries more often than you have to get gas for a regular scooter.