Taichung inspects compliant electric scooters, finds some exceeding speed limits and non-compliant designs

Taichung City authorities are intensifying checks on electric scooters to ensure they meet safety standards ahead of a crucial November 30, 2024, deadline. After this date, unregistered electric scooters will be prohibited from public roads, prompting the transportation bureau to begin inspections of non-compliant vehicles this year.

During recent checks, officials discovered that some electric scooters, even those bearing "qualified" labels, were exceeding the mandated maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. Some were clocked at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Additionally, several scooters were found to have undergone external modifications, such as the addition of pedals or seats, despite being approved.

“

Based on the current "Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act" Article 69-1, micro electric two-wheeled vehicles must complete the testing and type approval procedures, and then legally register, obtain a license, and display a license plate before they can be driven on the road.

Transportation Bureau Director Ye Zhaofu stated that current regulations require electric scooters to undergo testing and type approval before they can be registered and licensed. He noted that the discovery of modified or speeding scooters, particularly those with approval labels, suggests potential issues with the initial inspection process. The bureau has reported these findings to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to investigate the matter at the manufacturing source.

Taichung City has over 51,000 registered electric scooters as of April. The ongoing inspections aim to enhance public safety by ensuring that all vehicles on the road adhere to the established speed limits and design specifications. Failure to comply with the registration and licensing requirements after the November deadline will result in penalties enforced by law enforcement.

“

We found that some electric scooters with qualified labels exceeded the maximum speed limit of 25 kilometers per hour, with some reaching 28 and even 30 kilometers per hour. Others had inconsistent appearances, such as added pedals or seats, but still received qualified labels.