Taiwan’s Ministry of Environment has called on motorists to move away from petrol and diesel vehicles, as more than 120,000 fossil fuel vehicles have already been swapped for electric alternatives under a scheme launched in 2022, Taipei Times reports. The initiative helped cut more than 520,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the past year alone.
This push forms part of Taiwan’s broader decarbonisation agenda, as the government seeks to curb transport emissions and improve urban air quality through financial incentives and cross sector collaboration. Road transport remains a key source of pollution, making vehicle electrification central to the island’s climate strategy.
To support the transition, the ministry created an online matching platform in 2022 that connects owners of conventional vehicles with subsidy programmes introduced by public bodies and private organisations, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Eligible applicants include citizens aged 18 and above, foreign residents holding a valid residence permit and private enterprises. Participants may apply for either a carbon reduction purchase price offset or an air pollution reduction subsidy, but not both, as the associated credits are assigned to either the ministry or the partnering developer.
For air pollution subsidies, the newly registered vehicle must be licensed within the same air quality control zone as the sponsoring developer. Carbon reduction offset requests must be submitted by the purchaser of the new vehicle, while air pollution subsidy claims are filed by the registered owner and paid to the actual buyer. Applications must be lodged within two years of purchase and cannot be amended once approved.
Motorcycle owners who switch to electric models can receive at least TWD3,300 ($103), comprising TWD300 ($9) in recycling rewards, TWD1,000 ($31) from the ministry’s air pollution subsidy and up to TWD2,000 ($63) as a carbon reduction offset.
Replacing a conventional car can yield around TWD1,000 ($31) in recycling incentives and up to TWD16,000 ($500) in carbon reduction offsets. An additional TWD2,000 ($63) may be granted by the ministry, or as much as TWD5,100 ($159) from participating developers such as the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the National Science and Technology Council, the Tainan City Government or the Kaohsiung City Government.
Drivers scrapping diesel powered small passenger cars or light trucks for electric vehicles may obtain up to TWD16,000 ($500) in purchase offsets, or up to TWD8,000 ($250) if opting for a hybrid. Those replacing petrol powered small passenger cars or light trucks can secure up to TWD13,000 ($406) for electric substitutes, or up to TWD6,500 ($203) for hybrids.
By the end of 2025, 124,798 fossil fuel vehicles had been replaced through the ministry’s system, delivering a cumulative reduction of 529,212 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
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