The most critical issues for electric cars, said the MOEA, are the performance and safety of lithium-ion battery technology. To promote Taiwan’s electric car industry, the MOEA wants to speed up the development of such cells to make Taiwan into a key parts supplier for EVs.

MOEA said estimated global electric vehicles (BEV, PHEV, HEV) sales in 2018 is expected to grow to 7.29 million, of which about 86% will use the lithium batteries as a power supply—i.e., a market of about 6.26 million units.

The MOEA said while EVs need to be able to offer a range of at least 200 km (124 miles), have a lifetime of at least 10 years, and be affordable to be commercially successful, at this point the most important thing is to ensure the safety of consumers.

MOEA will work closely with industry on development projects; the insertion of electric drive vehicles into the domestic fleet; promotion of cooperation “cross-strait”—i.e., with China— and internationally; and to promote cross-strait and international standard-setting for Li-ion batteries.