Taiwan EPA promotes use of electric bikes

The Taiwanese Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) announced that it will subsidize the sales of electric bicycles in Taiwan. Starting May this year until November 30, 2010, people buying electric bikes can apply for a one-time NT$3,000 (US$90.68) subsidy from the EPA, officials said. The EPA had given the subsidy to more than 36,000 owners of electric bicycles since 2001 to encourage people to opt for that mode of transportation, which is more environmentally friendly and contributes less to carbon emissions than motorcycles and cars. Considering that motorcycles travel an average of 4,000 kilometers (km) per year and emit 60 grams of carbon dioxide per km, replacing 5,000 motorcycles with electric bicycles could reduce carbon emissions by around 1,000 tons per year, government officials said. The EPA is also promoting pedal-less models, with which it hopes to subsidize an additional 5,000 bicyclists per year. The EPA hopes that the lack of a need for a license to operate electric bicycles, as well as their lighter weight, would lead to an additional 5,000 bicyclists per year. (May 15, 2009)