Since 2022, the Ministry of Environment of Taiwan activated a state incentive system for citizens and companies to replace their gasoline or diesel cars and scooters with electric ones.
By the end of 2025, 124,798 vehicles were replaced, with a cumulative reduction of 529,212 tons of CO₂ equivalent. In a country with 23 million inhabitants and more than 14 million scooters, road transport is one of the main sources of urban pollution.
How it works
The program is managed through a public platform that connects owners of fossil fuel vehicles with replacement projects.
- It is available to those over 18, foreign residents with legal permits, and companies.
- Scooters: changing a gasoline scooter for an electric one grants at least 3,300 NT$ (approx. u$s112), adding incentives for recycling, pollution reduction, and carbon compensation.
- Cars: replacing a small diesel car or light truck with an electric one can generate up to 16,000 NT$ (approx. u$s540). For gasoline, the maximum compensation is around 13,000 NT$ (approx. u$s540).
- The incentives are complemented by additional support from ministries and local governments.
Real impact
An electric scooter costs about 30,000 NT$ (approx. u$s1,060), while the maximum aid reaches 16,000 NT$ (approx. u$s540), almost half of the monthly minimum wage (29,500 NT$). This makes the incentive a decisive factor for users.
Moreover, Taiwan already had an extended network of electric scooters, charging stations, and battery exchange, which facilitated the transition. The result: nearly 125,000 vehicles withdrawn in just three years.
Incentives in Argentina (2026)
Argentina also promotes electric mobility with fiscal and regulatory benefits:
- Reduction of import duties (DIE): hybrids and electrics can enter with reduced tariffs of 0%, 2%, or 5%, depending on technology and FOB value.
- Exemptions in CABA: electric cars are exempt from paying patents; hybrids have partial reductions.
- Tolls and parking: in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, electric vehicles do not pay tolls on highways and have preferential parking.
- Reduced internal tax: the maximum rate on electric cars is 1%, compared to much higher percentages on traditional vehicles.
- Charging incentives: aids are implemented to install electric chargers, with partial refunds from the Ministry of Industry.
- Import quota: up to 50,000 units can enter without tariffs.
The case of Taiwan demonstrates how a combination of infrastructure and direct subsidies can accelerate the transition to electric mobility.
In Argentina, fiscal and regulatory benefits aim for the same goal, although the main challenge remains to expand the charging network and availability of models.
