Can it help you conquer Green Island? The “Double B” low-carbon travel initiative protects this pristine land

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

Known as the “Green Emerald of Eastern Taiwan,” Green Island is also regarded by Europeans and Americans as comparable to Palau. Every year at this time, it becomes a peak tourist season. However, the prevalence of scooters on the island has made it hazy and polluted. Today (the 13th), hot spring operators, together with car and travel agencies, are telling everyone that “Green Island is not the same anymore.”


▲ The “Ride Electric to Green Island” press conference introduced a variety of low-carbon travel options. (Photo / Reporter Chen Ziying)

Jointly promoted by Oriental Spring Co., Ltd., China Motor Corporation, China Electric Corporation, and Caifenglu Travel Agency, the “Green Island Smart Living Technology Low-Carbon Tourism Plan” marks a significant step forward in low-carbon tourism on Green Island. Zhang Mingyi, chairman of Oriental Spring, stated that having operated hot springs on the island for many years, he feels that sustainable tourism on Green Island requires not only better transportation but also travel methods that do not harm the island itself, along with affordable prices. Therefore, he initiated a low-carbon approach that integrates food, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, and more, while incorporating digital (e-) solutions. Zhang Mingyi said, “We hope to give back to and protect this pristine land of Taiwan.”

The plan includes a range of smart living technologies and low-carbon travel initiatives, starting with the introduction of 500 China Electric electric bicycles (e-bikes) and 300 China Motor electric scooters (e-motorbikes). (Photo / Provided by the organizer)

A series of smart living technologies and low-carbon travel initiatives have first introduced 500 China Electric electric bicycles (e-bikes) and 300 China Motor electric scooters (e-motorbikes). Zhang Mingyi mentioned that the newly introduced electric bicycles (e-bikes) are equipped with “permanent magnet variable frequency DC motors,” offering long battery life to meet travelers’ riding needs. To accommodate Green Island’s steep terrain, China Motor even invested in developing the e-moving Super model, which, after several tests, can easily carry two passengers to complete a full loop around the island. They hope this will encourage the replacement of local gasoline scooters with electric ones, thereby reducing carbon emissions and their harm to Green Island’s environment.

Lin Weiling, deputy director of the Eastern Coastal National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation, said that electric vehicles are the most crucial core for energy saving and carbon reduction, but their promotion on Green Island has been challenging due to the island’s terrain. However, with limited resources, low-carbon solutions are even more important, and they will continue to promote low-carbon tourism as the sole tourism brand of Green Island. Chen Shuhui, director of the Tourism Department of Taitung County Government, added that Green Island has been promoting low-carbon tourism for about four years. Orchid Island and Green Island, the two most beautiful gems of Taitung, boast abundant natural resources. Particularly on Green Island, using the “Double B (Bus + Bike)” system is not only environmentally friendly but also convenient.