French Post Service to Purchase 10,000 LEVs from Taiwan

Taipei, Oct. 3, 2011 (CENS)--The French post service has decided to purchase over than 10,000 light electric vehicles (LEVs) from Taiwan worth some NT$1 billion (US$30.3 million), according to Tu Tzu-chun, Director General of Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

A French delegation of representatives from automakers and the postal service recently arrived in Taiwan to negotiate details related to purchasing 10,000 LEVs from the island. Potential suppliers include E-Ton E-Ton Power Tech Co., Ltd., Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), EVT Technology Co., Ltd., Motive Power Industry Co. Ltd. etc.

In addition, the Philippines is also trying to finalize a cooperation memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the "EV Advanced Propulsion Driving System (EV-APDS) Strategic Alliance in Taiwan.

During his report at the weekly Cabinet meeting, Tu said that a Taiwanese delegation visited several EV-related companies in Japan in mid-September to attract Nissan, Mitsubishi etc. to join the EV pilot project in Taiwan, with Nissan to send 49 Leaf electric cars to Taichung in central Taiwan for the project. MOEA has been trying to tap into global EV supply chains through partnerships with Japanese companies to develop motor, lithium-ion battery cells, powertrain systems, charging stations, intelligent navigation systems etc.

According to Tu, there will be 100 intelligent EVs for lease in Taipei by the end of this year, while another 100 EVs will be adopted by the Taichung City Government and small- to medium-sized enterprises in central Taiwan by year-end.

Some EV pilot projects are being reviewed by the government, including ones proposed for the New Taipei City, Tainan City, a car-leasing firm in Taipei.