Green Wheels Drive Taiwan's Public Transit Transformation
2024/10/30 | By Andrew HsuTaiwan has made significant strides in the electrification of its public transportation system, with electric bus services now widely available across the country. Currently, nearly 1,900 electric buses are in operation, and the push for low-carbon green freight transportation has garnered the attention and investment of major players like TSMC and the logistics industry.
To achieve the National Development Council's ambitious targets—complete electrification of municipal buses by 2030 and a 100% market share for electric vehicles by 2040—the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is working closely with industry stakeholders. Key initiatives include the localization of electric bus production, demonstration trials for electric logistics vehicles, and efforts to establish local production of electric passenger cars. These efforts aim to create a cleaner living environment for the public and offer a sustainable, low-carbon transportation option for industries.
Electric buses offer numerous benefits, including stability, low noise, zero emissions, and high reliability. They are also equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), enhancing safety and providing a high-quality, eco-friendly transportation service that encourages more people to use public transit. Since 2020, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, in collaboration with MOEA, has been actively promoting the adoption of electric buses. Thanks to these efforts, 50 domestic coach companies have integrated electric buses into their fleets, increasing the number of electric buses from just over 100 a decade ago to nearly 1,900 today.