Zhi News | Reported by Chih-Ling Shih, Taipei
As part of the Electric Bus Pilot Program jointly promoted by Taiwan and its South American ally Paraguay, 30 MIT electric buses have successfully arrived in Paraguay. President Santiago Peña personally greeted the buses upon arrival. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung stated that these high-quality MIT electric buses will soon benefit local citizens, marking the official entry of Taiwan-made EVs into the South American market. He emphasized that this also showcases Taiwan’s ability to export smart net-zero technologies and reflects the growth and strength of Taiwan’s electric bus industry.
Taiwan-made electric buses arrived at the Paraguayan port, and Paraguayan President Peña (2nd from right) was there to greet them. (From Lin Chia-lung's Facebook)
After more than three months of combined sea and river transport, the 30 MIT electric buses—manufactured by Master Bus—arrived in Paraguay. Minister Lin expressed his appreciation via social media to President Peña for welcoming the shipment in person, which symbolizes the strong friendship between Taiwan and Paraguay and highlights Taiwan’s contribution to smart net-zero cooperation with its ally.
Lin Chia-lung visited Taipei Port in January this year to witness the shipment of Taiwan's electric buses to Paraguay. (From Lin Chia-lung's Facebook page)
The electric bus was loaded onto a ship and shipped to Paraguay in January this year. (From Lin Jialong's Facebook)
Lin reiterated his belief that the deployment of these buses will improve Paraguay’s public transport system, enhance citizens’ quality of life, and mark Taiwan’s official presence in the South American EV market. It also reflects Taiwan’s advancement in net-zero technologies and the growing strength of its electric bus industry.
Looking back on his time as Minister of Transportation, Lin said he formed the “National Electric Bus Team” to respond to global trends in digitalization and net-zero transformation. His goal was to help Taiwan’s EV industry grow and succeed on the international stage.
MIT electric buses arrive in Paraguay. (From Lin Chia-lung's Facebook page)
Lin further mentioned that during President Peña’s 2023 visit to Taiwan, he experienced Taiwan’s high-quality public transit system firsthand and recognized its strong technology and manufacturing capabilities. This led to Taiwan donating 30 electric buses to Paraguay and jointly launching the pilot program.
At the end of 2024, after accompanying President Lai Ching-te on the "Prosperous South, Smart Sustainability" mission, Lin returned to Taiwan and immediately visited the Port of Taipei to see off the Master Bus-manufactured buses as they began their journey to Paraguay.
Looking to the future, Lin announced that Master Bus will enter the Taiwan-Paraguay Smart Technology Park and establish a dedicated EV bus factory. He also encouraged Taiwanese companies to view Paraguay as a strategic hub for expanding into the MERCOSUR market and to continue strengthening the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.
Every bus had a "Guai Guai" sign inside. File photo/Lin Jialong's Facebook
The January launch ceremony for the Electric Bus Pilot Project. (Photo/Lin Jialong's Facebook)
Link to the original article:
台灣30輛電動巴士抵達巴拉圭 林佳龍：正式進軍南美市場｜知新聞