In 2014, the Taiwan government began to integrate resources from various departments to fully promote electric scooter rentals for tourists to offshore islands. MOEA provides NT$7,200 subsidy for every TES (Taiwan E-scooter Standard) certified small and light electric scooter and NT$10,000 subsidy for every TES-certified light or heavy electric scooter. EPA also provides NT$20,000 subsidy for every light or heavy electric scooter to rental operators. While the Tourism Bureau gives NT$100 electric scooter rental discount per tourist per month. Currently, with the exception to Lanyu, electric scooter rentals are available in all other offshore islands to develop low carbon tourism markets.
Recently, MOEA assisted ICHT and a local tour agent Honma to found the first electric scooter rental company EcoRideMatsu in Matsu, and held a press conference at the Matsu Nangan Tourist Center on July 3, 2015 to publicize the rental operation. EcoRideMatsu has 200 TES-certified EM80 electric scooters manufactured by China Motor Cooperation for rental. EcoRideMatsu also cooperates with local tour services to develop various electric scooter operating models to fulfill the needs of different customers. This is a significant progress in promoting electric scooter operation in offshore islands.
Matsu has many magnificent views and scenic spots. By introducing electric scooters to ecotourism, eco-friendly hotel and low carbon tour routes can boost green economic development as well as sustain the environment and protect the ecology for a low carbon tourism island.