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Taiwanese govt pours US$30mn into public charging stations, boosting local supply chain

Annie Huang, Taipei; Vyra Wu, DIGITIMES Asia 0

Credit: DIGITIMES

In light of the continuous rise in the number of EVs in Taiwan, the Executive Yuan has granted approval to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' (MOTC) proposition for a scheme dedicated to setting up public charging stations.

This initiative is backed by a budget of NT$980 million and is tailored to provide financial support to diverse counties and cities with the aim of hastening the realization of targets linked to the electrification and carbon reduction of transportation. Enriched by these policy-based incentives, local supply chains related to charging infrastructure are anticipated to enhance their operational efficiency during the latter half of 2023.

As of the close of July 2023, the Directorate General of Highways(DGH), under the purview of MOTC, has received submissions for subsidies from 19 counties and cities. The assessment process is projected to conclude by the conclusion of August. At present, subsidies have been greenlit for 7 counties and cities, including Taipei and Hsinchu.

DGH has highlighted that by the conclusion of June 2023, the tally of registered electric passenger vehicles has ascended to 46,919. This showcases a surge of 22,915 in comparison to the analogous period of 2022, marking a striking growth percentage of 95%. This trend underscores the swift expansion of EVs in Taiwan over recent years.

Concurrently with the policy-driven incentives, key players in Taiwan's charging station operations, namely Fortune Electric, CHEM, HD Renewable Energy, SEEC, YES Charging, Noodoe, Taiwan Cement, and others, have progressively been striving to establish a comprehensive charging infrastructure across the entire nation. They have been actively installing charging stations at prominent locales such as major department stores, exhibition centers, industrial zones, and technology industrial parks. Beyond the foreseeable advantages for charging station operators, manufacturers specializing in charging station equipment, such as Delta Electronics and Phihong, also stand to amplify their shipping volumes within the context of these policy initiatives.

The earmarked subsidy of NT$980 million, as formulated by the central government, is slated to span a duration of two years. The strategy sets forth the objective of installing 4,000 units of slow-charging piles alongside 400 units of fast-charging piles. Under this framework, the maximum subsidy per unit for the former stands at NT$80,000, while for the latter, the maximum subsidy per unit reaches NT$2 million.