Taiwan's E-Motorcycles and E-Bikes Going International

TAIPEI, Taiwan (4 May 2000)--According to a news report by the†China Economic News Services (CENS), the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) will help domestic manufacturers export electric motorcycles and electrically-driven bicycles, both powered by lithium (Li) batteries, to the US, Japan and Europe. The Mechanical Industry Research Laboratories and the Materials Research Laboratories (MRL) under the Industrial Technology Research Institute were commissioned by MOEA's Energy Commission to develop Li battery electric motorcycles this year in cooperation with Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd. and Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd., two local motorcycle manufacturers. Commercial production is scheduled for the end of next year. Combined, the two companies exported 5,000-6,000 electric motorcycles last year. The MRL has also finished R&D of e-bikes powered by Li batteries and will help Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. and Merida Industry Co., Ltd. as well as other local manufacturers develop such products. The global demand for e-bikes over the next five years is estimated at one million. According to the MOEA's Industrial Development Bureau, Japan is the world's largest electrically-driven bicycle market with 50% of all sales taking place there. Japan is followed by Taiwan with 20%. Europe and the US are also promising markets. (JW)