Taiwan's electric scooter market appears to be entering a new phase—one defined by a tripartite division of battery-swapping networks. But with limited space, dense urban populations, and room still left for adoption growth, a fundamental question arises: How many battery-swapping systems does Taiwan need? And more importantly, what are the hidden costs and long-term risks that come with this model?

Driven by global industrial trends and supportive local policies, Taiwan has taken an aggressive lead in developing its electric scooter industry. With major players like Gogoro Network and Kymco's Ionex already entrenched, a potential new entrant — a coalition between Sanyang Motor (SYM) and CPC Corporation, Taiwan's state-owned oil company — is sparking debate over whether the market can support a third battery-swapping system.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company's first LFP battery plant in the US—located in Sparks, Nevada—is nearing completion and will soon begin production. The facility will have an initial annual capacity of 10GWh, primarily serving Tesla's energy storage product Megapack and select vehicle models.