EVs essential for transition
I disagree strongly with Steven Crook’s arguments against government support for the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) (“Switching to electric vehicles won’t end ‘stealth pollution,’” Oct. 23, page 13). His arguments overlook critical points regarding air pollution, public health and environmental sustainability.
It is well established that emissions from ICE vehicles are the main source of air pollution in urban areas, severely harming people’s health — especially children’s — and degrading the quality of life for everyone. This alone is reason enough for encouraging the switch from ICE to EV. However, transitioning to EVs is not just about cleaner transport: It is a vital part of reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, cutting carbon emissions, and advancing toward the goal of net-zero.
While Crook correctly highlights the serious pollution caused by tire and brake dust, he is wrong to point the finger at EVs as one of the primary culprits. Most private vehicles purchased in Taiwan are SUVs, which are actually heavier than top-selling EVs. For instance, the Tesla Model 3 SR weighs 1,625kg, while midsize SUVs average around 1,905kg, and large SUVs can weigh as much as 2,722kg. This clearly undermines his argument that EVs, due to their weight, are causing greater road wear and shedding more tire particles — SUVs, not EVs, are the true offenders.
Moreover, his suggestion that EVs shed heavy amounts of brake dust overlooks the fact that they rely more on regenerative braking than traditional friction brakes, which significantly reduces wear on brake pads. As a result, EV brake pads wear down slower, lasting two to three times longer than those on ICE vehicles, and consequently emitting far less “stealth pollution” from brake dust.
Instead of opposing subsidies for EVs, Crook could more reasonably advocate for expanding these subsidies. Taiwan’s EV subsidies are far lower than those in many advanced countries, where higher subsidies have led to greater EV adoption and faster progress toward net-zero. If he seeks to penalize vehicle owners for environmental harm, his focus should be on the real menace — SUVs. These oversized vehicles plague urban environments, prompting progressive city leaders like Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo to take strong measures to drive them from the streets.
Taiwan’s push for EVs is essential for cleaner air, healthier communities and a sustainable future. It is high time we embraced this transition fully, rather than dissuading it with arguments that do not hold up under scrutiny.
Peter Whittle
Linkou
Time to reform license rules
A car accident involving an unlicensed driver occurred in Taipei’s Neihu District (內湖) last week, yet again sparking profound public interest in the issue of teenagers driving without a license. According to data from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the number of accidents caused by unlicensed drivers has continued to increase in recent years, with the number of teenage offenders particularly jarring. The number of deaths resulting from unlicensed driving is even higher than that of drunk driving. This illustrates that teenage traffic safety education and management in Taiwan possess flaws impossible to ignore.
The incident involved a 15-year-old boy who drove and crashed his grandfather’s car without a license, killing three. The tragedy brought insurmountable pain to the victims’ families and gave rise to intense discussion about how society could prevent similar misfortunes from reoccurring.
The Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act (道路交通管理處理條例) stipulates that citizens under the age of 18 cannot earn a motorcycle license. However, many other countries allow citizens to get a license at a younger age — Japan, for example, allows citizens at least 16 years of age to take the motorcycle license exam. In some US states, the age is even lower. This system not only takes into account the developmental stages of adolescence, but also allows them to legally and properly learn and practice driving a vehicle. Taiwan’s current system postpones teenagers’ opportunities for regular driving practice, leading some to make the reckless decision to drive without a license.
Aside from adjusting the minimum driving age, Taiwan should systematically promote teenage traffic safety education. Under the current system, most middle school students do not have any systematic traffic safety education. By comparison, Japan and Germany implement driving training and education from middle school. This allows teenagers not only to develop a foundational understanding of traffic regulations and driving safety, but also recognize the grave responsibility of driving at an early age.
The current penalties for unlicensed driving are rather relaxed and lack the power to deter potential offenders. Under the existing regulations, the current fine for underage and unlicensed drivers, while not insignificant, is often still not enough to prevent this behavior from occurring. In contrast, Singapore, Japan, and other countries have much more severe penalties — unlicensed drivers might face punishments like longer sentences, huge fines, or permanent license suspension.
The present system cannot effectively control the spread of unlicensed driving. Taiwan should relax the age restrictions for getting a driver’s license and improve all aspects of traffic safety education to stop the danger of unlicensed driving at its source. Allowing teenagers to legally learn and practice driving skills would not only mitigate risks, but help them foster a sense of responsibility and safety awareness. This is both a key strategy for addressing traffic issues and a long term plan to protect our youth and public safety. Only through its implementation could we prevent further tragedies and build a more robust barrier for social safety.
Fan Chen-chia
Kaohsiung
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