Taiwan to provide subsidies for taxi owners who switch to hybrids

Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that come 2013, it will start providing subsidies of NT$115,000 (US$3,956) to owners of old taxis who phase out their outdated taxicabs and replace them with hybrid vehicles. This is in line with other incentives being offered to taxi owners. In 2011, the Taiwanese government gave subsidies of NT$30,000 (US$1,033.02) each to phase out 14 year-old taxi vehicles. In 2012, the subsidies rose NT$40,000 (US$1,377.32) for vehicles which are more than seven years old.
The ministry said that by shifting to a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, taxi drivers can reduce their gasoline consumption in half and save around NT$6,500 (US$223.81) per month. According to ministry estimates, there are more than 80,000 taxis in Taiwan, 50,000 of which are in Taipei.
The ministry is also offering a subsidy of NT$40,000 (US$1,377.32) for taxi owners who will provide “barrier-free” services to benefit the elderly, pregnant women and the handicapped. The mini-buses that some local governments are providing for the elderly, pregnant women and people who use wheelchairs are limited in number; hence, this substantial incentive from the ministry to encourage local governments and taxi owners to provide barrier-free services. The subsidy programs are to be implemented in the first quarter of 2013. (November 20, 2012)