From Charging Desert to Green Energy Hub
With its pristine natural environment, Taitung County has claimed Taiwan’s top air quality ranking for ten consecutive years. Now, it’s accelerating toward low-carbon, sustainable development. In recent years, the county government has invested heavily in building an EV charging network. Starting in January 2024 with the installation of one 180kW fast charger (dual port) and twenty 11kW slow chargers (single port each) at locations like Taitung Forest Park and the train station, the momentum continued. By April 28, 2025, the first charging station in Chenggong Township officially opened, equipped with one fast charger (dual port) and two slow chargers (single port) —injecting a surge of green energy into the East Coast.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
(Photo credit: EVALUE )
Thanks to ongoing government efforts, by the end of 2024, Taiwan had nearly 97,000 registered EVs, up 53% year over year. Taitung led the country with a staggering 84% growth rate. To encourage more citizens to embrace EV lifestyles, the county offered a generous three-month 50% discount on charging fees—delivering both environmental and everyday benefits, and bringing the vision of a sustainable Taitung closer to reality.
(Photo credit: EVALUE )
Public-Private Partnerships:
Charging from Mountains to Coast
At the end of 2023, the Taitung County Government partnered with EVALUE, Taiwan’s largest EV charging service provider, to establish a charging station at Taitung Airport, featuring one 60kW DC fast charger and three 7kW AC chargers, ensuring options for all vehicle types. In September 2024, the Environmental Protection Bureau allocated NT$8 million to subsidize local governments and private businesses in installing chargers. The goal is to expand from 101 existing sites to over 1,000, making the dream of an all-electric city a reality.
The government is also leading by example in electrifying its vehicle fleet. Departments such as the Fire Bureau and the Environmental Protection Bureau have begun replacing official vehicles with EVs, moving steadily toward the target of fully electrifying public vehicles by 2030—a clear commitment to sustainable transport.
(Photo credit: STAR Charger)
A Bloom of Low-Carbon Mobility Options
Taitung’s low-carbon vision extends beyond electric cars to all types of green transportation. The county introduced the YouBike 2.0 system, with 10 stations and 100 bikes (including 30 Youbike 2.0e electric bikes) in place by the end of 2024. By 2025, this will grow to 86 stations and 800 bikes, 240 of which will be e-bikes, making short-distance commuting more convenient.
Since June 2022, the Foxtron Model T electric bus has been running the Land-Sea-Air bus routes. In July 2024, a collaboration with Puyuma Bus launched an eco-friendly shuttle service between the Taitung Bus Station and Luye Highland, offering a low-carbon travel experience for Taiwan Balloon Festival visitors.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
Smart Travel, Greener Future
To improve the convenience of the overall transport system, the county is building solar-powered smart bus shelters. Equipped with electronic screens displaying real-time bus arrivals, these shelters ensure accurate wait times. The system can operate for over 10 days without an external power source—an energy-smart solution for remote areas.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
Magistrate April Yao remarked, “Promoting EVs and low-carbon transport supports global net-zero goals while living out our sustainable values of slow economy, slow living, and rich culture. This fuels economic vitality and protects our pristine homeland.” The county will continue expanding charging infrastructure, increasing YouBike stations, and optimizing EV bus routes to integrate green transport into daily life.
Taitung is no longer a “charging desert,” but a thriving sustainable county powered by green energy. Whether you’re driving along the South Link Highway on Route 9 with endless sea views or visiting the quaint and historic Duoliang Station, EVs offer a zero-emission, noise-free experience—more than a transportation revolution, it’s a shift in lifestyle, ushering in a low-carbon future for Taitung.
