Taiwan PTW Makers Continue Eyeing e-Scooter Biz

Taipei, Dec. 9, 2008 (CENS)--Eyeing the carbon-reduction vehicle market and the future subsidization of zero-emission vehicles, major powered two-wheeler (PTW) companies in Taiwan are actively planning to introduce electric-scooters.

Motive Power Industry Co. Ltd., maker of PGO brand PTWs, recently launched the world's first hybrid-battery electric scooter, the E-BUBU. According to Motive Power, the innovative, intelligent dual electric power (IDEP) system and a brand-new dual battery system is superior to lead-acid battery counterparts that prevents frequent discharges while reduces vehicle weight.

In partnerships with several industrial research institutes including Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd. (SYM), a top-three brand in Taiwan, has in the works several electric-scooters scheduled to be commercialized.

Sanyang recently demonstrated its eMio e-scooter powered by lithium-ion battery, a combination of high-performance electric propulsion/power storage and popular retro-styling. The company also plans to launch upscale e-scooters from mid-2009, including the foldable RoboScooter, the prototype of which has been unveiled to trigger ample response.

Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd. (KYMCO), the largest PTW manufacturer on the island, plans to tap the electric-bicycle market in 2009 and push its first such product in February next year, first in Taiwan and then the overseas market.

A PTW maker pointed out that clear advancements in battery technology has successfully reversed the weightiness of lead-acid batteries as well as prolonging the battery life.

PTW makers said that the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans to subsidize NT$10,000 to NT$15,000 (US$303 to US$454 at US$1: NT$33) for each electric scooter sold in Taiwan, which is expected to greatly upgrade purchase willingness.

Motive Power estimated that the e-scooter market is expected to see a penetration rate of 2% to 5%, or 12,000 to 30,000 units, in the initial stage under official promotion and subsidization, adding that the biggest bottleneck is still battery technology. Currently, lithium-ion batteries are too expensive to be more popular and can undergo sudden discharge.