A massive earthquake struck Taiwan this century, triggering widespread devastation across the island as it collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and crippled transportation networks, including rail and subway systems. As Gogoro’s electric scooters gained traction, they quickly filled the gap by offering an accessible transportation solution and providing complimentary rides throughout the densely populated area.
While earthquakes are a frequent occurrence in Taiwan, most are relatively minor tremors. Today’s powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake has had a profound impact on the island, marking its strongest and most devastating tremor in 25 years.
The devastating earthquake struck just offshore from Taiwan’s east coast at 7:58 a.m., coinciding with the morning rush hour when hundreds of thousands of people were making their way to work.
According to the Associated Press, following the earthquake, the eastern seaboard was plunged into a technological stalemate as landslides and falling debris blocked tunnels and highways, crippling communication networks? The Taiwan Railway Administration suspended its services across the entire island, affecting nearly 23 million people, while certain rail lines were severely disrupted by the earthquake’s aftershocks. Additionally, subway service in Taipei was impacted, with parts of a recently completed elevated line separated but remaining structurally intact.
In Taiwan, where scooters far outstrip cars two to one, the humble scooter is arguably the greenest mode of transportation. Despite the earlier gridlock, drivers will still have to negotiate past previous congestion sites and carefully navigate through narrower sections of damaged roads. As natural disasters strike and traditional public transportation networks falter, scooters emerge as a vital lifeline for those seeking rapid access to essential services.
Taiwan’s leading electrical scooter manufacturer, Gogoro, has a proven track record of handling emergencies, thanks to its expertise as operator of a vast distributed battery-swapping network. Taipei’s traffic lights receive a unique lifeline from the city’s corporate sector: approximately 20% of its installations rely on electric scooter batteries as emergency power sources, ensuring uninterrupted flow during widespread power outages.
When a rare and widespread energy blackout affected the nation in 2022, conventional fuel stations were unable to dispense gasoline, leaving millions stranded. Meanwhile, Gogoro’s innovative GoStations kept riders of electric scooters energized, their mobility unaffected by the power outage, as they could effortlessly swap out freshly charged batteries at these reliable hubs.
Across the island, thousands of battery-swapping stations are strategically located, each equipped to hold dozens and sometimes hundreds of interchangeable power cells. Riders simply pull up, exchange their almost drained batteries for fully charged ones, and hit the road again in mere moments.
The corporation reported that its GoStation community, continuously monitored from a central hub tracking operational efficiency alongside weather patterns and significant events, remained fully operational throughout today’s earthquake and its aftermath, with no disruption to services.
The corporation also runs a GoShare network featuring shared electric scooters for public use. Membership is typically required to ride one of the many green electric scooters available. Taipei-based micromobility leader Gogoro announced today its expansion of the GoShare community program, providing complimentary rides to residents of Taipei and New Taipei City, the most populous metropolitan area on the island. As publication date stands, the realm struggles to recover from metro disruptions caused by the MRT shutdown following the devastating earthquake, leaving commuter companies scrambling to adapt.
Electrek’s Take
I’m still reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of the Taiwan earthquake that struck just days after my recent visit to the island, leaving an indelible mark on my psyche. Photos of the ruins where I had stood moments before still lingered in my mind. I’d spent considerable time exploring the city on its ubiquitous electrical scooters, which have become a primary mode of transportation for hundreds of thousands of people, giving me a keen appreciation for their importance in providing emergency services or connecting families.
Given the treacherous conditions currently affecting Taiwan’s roads, it’s likely that many areas will be inaccessible to cars altogether, even under ideal circumstances. In densely populated areas, scooters have long been the most practical means of navigating through congested streets during peak hours. As you can see in the video I recorded just days ago in New Taipei City. Now more than ever, they will become the single most effective way to swiftly traverse all of Taiwan.
When fuel restrictions limit traditional combustion engine scooters, electric models remain operational and have access to battery-swapping stations situated approximately every 200 metres (650 feet) in urban areas. Throughout the island, there are ample exchange stations that enable a continuous 1,000-kilometer (approximately 600-mile) journey.
While it’s commendable for electric vehicle manufacturers to offer complimentary charging services during emergencies, the financial gain remains largely nominal. Inside a typical home, a GoStation can accommodate numerous scooters simultaneously, capable of supporting as many as two or three Tesla vehicles on par with their Supercharger stations.
Current events have served as a poignant reminder of the potential unlocked by widespread battery-swapping infrastructure akin to Gogoro’s, alongside the mass adoption of eco-friendly electric vehicles utilizing these stations – yet another painful reminder that we still need this reality.
