November 15, 2001 Sam Ever Industry Co., a local joint venture manufacturer of electric scooters, reports it has developed a new scooter that runs on a lithium battery. With a retail price below NT$60,000 (US$1,739), the new model is expected to be released on the market early next year. Initial monthly production will amount to between one and two hundred units. According to a company representative, to begin with, the lithium batteries will be purchased from overseas battery factories such as GS of Japan or SAFT of France. However, as domestic research skills for the production of the batteries matures, Sam Ever plans to switch over to local suppliers. One advantage of the new electric scooter model is that it will effectively improve some of the previous weaknesses of these vehicles, including increasing endurance and lengthening battery life from one to five years. The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) is currently subsidizing about NT$30,000 (US$870) per lithium-battery motorcycle produced by Sam Ever. The company's spokesperson notes that due to the current high cost of the lithium batteries, for the time being, it will be difficult to lower the retail price of the new electric cycle. During the 1998-2000 period, Sam Ever Industry Co. ranked third in Taiwan for the production of electric scooters, according to figures compiled by the EPA. Although the electric scooter industry is not yet a sizeable one, it is growing yearly, with makers taking the initiative to assertively market their products in various countries around the world. One of the appealing marketing angles for suppliers is to promote the image of Taiwan as a production center for environmentally friendly vehicles such as these. Additionally, the island's manufacturers already enjoy a number of advantages in the field, including a well-established motorcycle industry, effective supporting industries and the support of the government.
 Interface Global Corporation Pte., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |