This week, the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), in collaboration with Chinese Petroleum Corp Taiwan (CPC), the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and Yamaha, held a test drive of motorcycles fueled by 100 percent bioethanol (E100) and E10 gasoline to prove its viability as a sustainable energy source in the transportation sector.
“E10 fuel is already compatible with all modern vehicles and widely available in many countries, reducing carbon emissions and saving money for consumers at the pump, and through this test drive, we showed the world that running on higher blends is safe and effective,” said Michael Lu, USGC director in Taiwan.
“The test ride event marks the first major initiative following the signing of an MOU between USGC and CPC Taiwan this August aiming to raise awareness and acceptance of ethanol gasoline among Taiwan society,” said Erich Kuss, AIT Agriculture Section Chief, in his opening remarks.
“U.S. producers look forward to advancing bilateral exchanges in biofuel technology and policy development as part of climate change mitigation efforts.”
Taiwanese government officials were also in attendance, including Legislator Jonathan Lin who added that Taiwan can no longer use past ideas, standards, regulations and technologies to solve the climate crisis. He emphasized that in the future, he will do his best to promote relevant regulations and accelerate Taiwan to become a net-zero country by 2050.
Officers from the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of the Environment, Taoyuan city government and representatives from vehicle industry, academia and research, professional motorcycle riders and media reporters also attended the event to witness vehicles’ stability and compatibility by using E100 and E10 gasoline.
“The excitement from both public and private sector stakeholders was clear to see and their eagerness to invest time and resources into ethanol shows the Council and U.S. producers are certainly on the right track to increasing global biofuel use,” Lu said. “My sincere thanks to AIT, CPC and Yamaha for helping make this test drive possible and fueling Taiwan forward to a net-zero future.”
