Commercial Vehicle Electrification: Premier Cho vows to expand subsidy scope by year-end

Taiwan's Premier Cho TAIWAN (central news agency) - Premier Cho TAI-WAN announced today that the government plans to include subsidies for electric commercial vehicles in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, expanding the scope to include electric cargo vans, electric large buses, and electric three-wheeled logistics motorcycles. Minister of Economic Affairs GONG Ming-hsin stated that the announcement will be made by the end of the year. To achieve Taiwan's 2050 net-zero transition goal of 'vehicle electrification,' the Ministry of Economic Affairs is actively promoting indigenous development and localization of electric vehicle technology. With support from the Industrial Innovation Platform Program, Hotai Motor has developed the first domestically produced electric passenger car, Model C (LUXGEN n7). China Motor Corporation has launched its first domestically produced 3.5-ton electric light truck, with domestic components accounting for up to 90%. During a legislative session, Legislator HUANG Chien-hao pointed out that domestic car manufacturers responded to the government's call by launching electric light trucks in September last year, aligning with the Ministry of Economic Affairs' 'Flagship Action Plan for Commercial Vehicle Electrification and Carbon Neutrality.' This plan proposed an average subsidy of NT$500,000 per vehicle. HUANG stated that although this subsidy was originally planned for implementation this year, the budget has not yet been allocated. Consumers naturally tend to wait for confirmed subsidies before purchasing vehicles, leading to a predicament for domestic car manufacturers who launched compliant models last year. GONG Ming-hsin confirmed that relevant subsidies will be announced by the end of this year and will definitely be implemented. Premier Cho added that the plan is to include these subsidies in the next fiscal year's budget, expanding the scope to include electric cargo vans, electric large buses, electric three-wheeled logistics motorcycles, electric commercial light cars, and hydrogen fuel cell buses. HUANG Chien-hao expressed concern that domestic car manufacturers, having launched compliant models last year, might face a full year of lost revenue if government subsidies are only announced by the end of this year, potentially leading to significant losses. Premier Cho indicated he would ask the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Economic Affairs to discuss with industry players whether further policy or substantial assistance is needed, considering it a government responsibility. (Editor: LIN Hsing-meng) 20260417