Electric scooters are widely regarded as a greener alternative to conventional motorcycles, but short battery lives have severely limited their marketability. Now some in the industry have come up with an idea called "battery exchange network" to solve the problem.

Electric scooters are becoming lighter and lighter as improvements are also being made in the area of batteries.

With a full battery charge, one can travel for up to 40 kilometers, though many scooter riders continue to be suspicious of these scooters.

They worry that running out of battery during their trips and being stranded.

Businesses are coming up with the concept of an automated vending machine where one can use an EZ card to exchange empty batteries for those that are fully charged.

Such an exchange may take only 30 seconds to complete.

This system to switch batteries has two companies in the north and south researching and developing it.

In order to have such a battery swap, they must be normalized and simple exchange stations need to be established though costs are far lower than setting up a gas station.

The EPA believes that establishing such a system will enhance the willingness of people to ride electric vehicles with a pilot program planned for both Taipei and Kaohsiung.

The system as well as theft prevention and keeping track of batteries is important.

At the moment, the EPA said plans are to locate it near gas stations or scooter repair shops or even convenience stores or major roads.

The goal is to make switching batteries as convenient as filling up with gas.

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