Kinmen's Lieyu introduces 100 electric vehicles for rent

Want China Times, CNA 2014-05-05

Electric scooters in Lieyu. (Photo/CNA)

Visitors to the outlying county of Kinmen can start enjoying the scenery while helping to protect it thanks to 100 new electric-powered scooters on the island of Lieyu that will be rented out by the hour starting Sunday.

The green energy option for the 14.8-square kilometer township is part of Kinmen's major projects to build a low-emissions environment on the islands off the shore of China.

Officials said the scooters can travel up to 60km on one charge. When they enter formal service in June, non-Kinmen residents will be able to pay NT$150 (US$5) for the first four hours of use and NT$10 (US$0.33) per each hour afterward. The initial cost for locals will be NT$100 (US$3.30).

The rental will come with a NT$50 (US$1.60) "carbon coupon" that can be used at participating stores on the island.

The launch of the electric vehicles is intended to prevent an influx of motor scooters to Lieyu, also called Little Kinmen, said Li Tseng-tsai, a high-ranking official in the county government.

Li added that the government will add eight electric buses by the end of the year and work to introduce more privately owned electric vehicles. Lieyu mayor Hung Cheng-fa said that he hopes more resources can be put into reducing carbon emission, an international trend.