Jan 6 2010
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) of Taiwan is promoting the use of electricity-powered buses and bicycles, dual-fuel vehicles, liquefied natural gas cars and hybrid vehicles to reduce the level of pollution. Stephen Shu-hung Shen, EPA Minister remarked that the usage of eco-friendly vehicles by the entire nation will help in reducing the emissions of carbon and saving energy. People are encouraged by Stephen Shu-hung Shen to walk or to use the metro system, bicycles, buses and high speed rails.
A grant of NT$3,000 is offered by EPA for the purchase of electricity powered scooters. This is an additional subsidy to the already existing subsidy of NT$8,000 to NT$11,000 provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Industrial Development Bureau. EPA is also planning to develop a Geographic Information System for bicycle riders. Data with reference to the bike trails name, nearby tourist attractions, longitude and latitude, stores and hotels are provided by other government agencies, which will contribute to the completion of this Geographic Information System. The EPA can provide basic design standards to cities and countries that are yet to develop a bike trail network.
Trees have been planted along the trails by the EPA to reduce pollution caused by motorcyclists and motorists. From the year 2011, local governments involved in the construction of bike trails will not be funded by the EPA as a number of government authorities are coming up with similar bike trails projects.
About 4,684 tonnes of air pollution and 198,952 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced if the low-carbon vehicles accounts for 5 percent of the total number of cars used in Taiwan. If the low carbon vehicles increases to account for 2 percent of the total vehicles used throughout the country, it will result in reduction of 249.48 tonnes of air pollution and 129,888 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: http://www.epa.gov.tw/en/