Independent R&D Establishes Industry Leadership
Taiwan’s leading electric bus manufacturer, Wade, will list on the Innovation Board on August 10, becoming the first domestic company to go public with a complete electric bus solution. The company has delivered over 1,000 electric buses across 12 cities and counties in Taiwan, established 30 smart stations with charging scheduling systems, and secured over 300 orders for both domestic and international markets this year, achieving a near 25% market share in Taiwan.
Since completing its first electric bus prototype in 2007, Wade has continuously deepened its independent research and development. In 2011, it launched Taiwan’s first electric bus, and in 2019, it became the first company to obtain qualification for independent electric bus design and development. Wade controls the entire industrial chain, from battery modules, battery packs, and chassis systems to complete vehicle software and hardware. Its annual production capacity is planned to expand from 500 units in 2025 to 1,700 units by 2026.
Chairman Tsai Yu-ching stated that Wade possesses the independent design capability for intelligent electric vehicle systems, enabling it to integrate energy and electric vehicle services and become a key player in the global non-China supply chain. He noted that non-road vehicles, such as engineering and agricultural machinery, will become the next blue ocean for electric mobility. The company has already begun deploying electric medium-sized buses, intercity coaches, and logistics vehicles across diverse application scenarios.
Tsai analyzed that shared mobility models for electric buses in school transportation, logistics, and long-term care sectors can effectively reduce operators' costs. Future integration with autonomous driving technology will further enhance operational efficiency. Wade’s technological deployment covers core components such as Vehicle Control Units (VCU), Battery Management Systems (BMS), and liquid-cooled battery packs, along with dual-gun fast-charging systems and in-vehicle human-machine interfaces.
Overseas Market Expansion Drives Growth
Wade is actively expanding into overseas markets, having established footholds in Japan, the United States, Mexico, and Vietnam. Japan is a key focus of the company’s international strategy. In 2022, Wade exported its first electric city bus solution to Kyushu, entered Tokyo in 2024, and increased its market share in Japan from 1% in 2022 to nearly 15%. The company plans to expand into Kobe and Okayama by 2027, targeting a 32% market share in Japan by 2030.
Yang Chih-jung, General Manager of Wade’s Taoyuan plant, stated that the Japanese market can accommodate multiple Taiwanese electric commercial vehicle manufacturers in healthy competition, jointly driving industry development. In North America, Wade signed a cooperation agreement with U.S. electric vehicle manufacturer Optimal in 2023 and partnered with a local Mexican manufacturer in 2025, positioning Mexico as a bridgehead for entering the North American market. Yang noted that Mexico is not only a production base for key electric bus components but also holds potential for promoting the commercialization of electric buses.
In Vietnam, Wade is actively advancing electric commercial vehicle operations and maintenance systems, continuing to expand its overseas presence. The company’s technical team has developed a Level 2+ autonomous driving system, forming an integrated framework from three-electric systems to operational platforms. Tsai suggested that Taiwan can serve as a global demonstration field for electric mobility and diverse technological applications, accelerating the transition to electrification through policy support and industrial chain integration.
On the policy front, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and the Ministry of Economic Affairs have set a goal to achieve 100% electrification of city buses and official passenger vehicles by 2030. Companies such as Wade, Master Transportation, and RAC Electric Vehicles are actively deploying electric bus markets both in Taiwan and overseas. Wade continues to consolidate its industry leadership through a dual strategy of independent R&D and international expansion.
