TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei City Police Department (台北市警局) has significantly expanded its fleet of electric scooters from just six in 2018 to 499 in 2024. Despite the eco-friendly initiative, officers are voicing concerns over the potential impact on their response times during emergencies if the scooters run out of batteries.
At present, 60.8% of the department’s 4,290 scooters are electric, totaling 2,609 units. This transition is part of a broader effort to promote sustainability by gradually phasing out gasoline-powered scooters.
The department has invested over NT$220 million in Gogoro electric scooters, with each unit costing approximately NT$84,000. However, officers have reported inconvenience due to the lack of dedicated charging stations, relying instead on public battery swap stations.
This has led to “range anxiety” among officers, who worry they may miss critical incidents while waiting to charge. The police have requested dedicated battery swap stations to address the high demand for fully charged batteries.
The head of Taipei’s Shezi Police Station (社子派出所) noted that officers ensure their scooters have at least half battery capacity before going on duty. They also map out nearby charging stations, while radio communication ensures that backup can be called if needed during low-battery situations.
Maintenance of the electric scooters has also been a challenge. Repairs require appointments, which has led to scheduling issues, and the costs post-warranty are a concern. While the department remains committed to transitioning away from gasoline-powered scooters, it is waiting for additional support measures from the city government to fully address these logistical hurdles.
