Taiwan EV Industry Moving from Parts Manufacture into Original Brands

TAIPEI, Taiwan--November 4, 2011:

    
           - Brands like LUXGEN have set the Middle East as a target
                       region for their EV vehicles.

Taiwan's electric vehicle (EV) industry is moving from parts manufacturing to marketing Taiwan's own brands, with the island's solid base in information and communication technology (ICT) helping it to make its name on the EV stage. Moreover, Taiwan brands such as LUXGEN are also looking to expand overseas, with regions such as the Middle East forming major targets markets.

"ICT products from Taiwan are very competitive in the world," said Denise Hung, a specialist from Taiwan's Automotive Research and Testing Center (ARTC). "We use this advantage to integrate them with the auto industry in order to create our own innovative technology for electric vehicles. This advantage allows Taiwan to join the global electric vehicle market and also take Taiwan's auto industry to a new generation."

The Yulon Group is one of the island's first and most important players on the EV scene, forming the driving force behind Taiwan's renowned LUXGEN car brand. The company began work on its first EV models in 2007 and debuted the new cars at the Dubai International Motor Show in 2009. The Middle East was among the first target regions the new brand set for its EVs.

Among those models was the LUXGEN7 MPV, which comes equipped with a 150kW electric motor with 220N-m torque, similar to the Tesla Roadster. Its motor comes from Fukuta, a Taiwan-based electric motor manufacturer and supplier to Tesla Motors.

Another of the company's models is the LUXGEN EV+.

"The LUXGEN EV+ can be seen as the only option that generates no carbon emissions and delivers eco-friendly clean power when compared with other energy technologies, such as hybrid power," said Leo Chang, manager of LUXGEN's Electric Vehicle Department.

Pihsiang Machinery Manufacturing Co. (PMMC), meanwhile, exhibited its Venus full-electric mini-car and the firm's patented DOSBAS safe battery system at the 2011 Motorcycle Taiwan show in Taipei. The company claims the Venus as the first and only electric car to be certified by the domestic Vehicle Safety Certification Center (VSCC) and Electronics Testing Center (ETC) in Taiwan. The Venus will be sold domestically by the end of 2011, though it has already passed stringent road tests in Europe.

Taiwan manufacturers are also extremely prominent in the light-weight electric vehicle (LEV) sector. Local maker E-Ton has developed its EV6A, or "e-go" e-scooter. The 87 kg LEV has Standard and Power gears and is powered by a 48V, 2,000W brushless motor. The new scooter cruises at about 50 kilometers, is capable of reaching 45 kph, and can climb 11.3-degree hills.

Universal Well Industry Co., Ltd makes LEVs under its own Uray brand. The company recently introduced the Pioneer 1.5, an electric motorcycle that has 45 kph maximum speed and 13-degree hill-climbing capacity.

Awareness of Taiwan's significant presence in the global EV industry is spreading. The 2011 inaugural EV Taiwan trade show attracted over 18,000 attendees, including over 1,600 overseas visitors. The event served as a premier showcase for domestic EV suppliers.

Other major Taiwan EV manufacturers include Amita (battery modules), Chroma (motor and power control), and Garmin, the world's largest supplier of telematics.

Taiwan is also among the world's most flexible regions in terms of its EV charging stations' compatibility factor. In 2011, ARTC began construction on the island's first full specification EV charging station. The Taiwan stations are fully compliant with CHAdeMO (Japan), GB (mainland China), IEC Type I (Europe) and SAE, UL 2202 and 2231 (US) standards.

The Middle East is also in the process of developing its own EV sector. For example, the nation of Jordan just inaugurated its first solar power EV charging station in October of this year.