Just Transitions within Vehicle Electrification: A Case Study of Taiwan's Traditional Motorcycle Repair Workers.

Numerous carbon reduction policies are being rapidly developed to accelerate the net-zero transition worldwide, which will consequently impact people who are reliant on high-carbon jobs. The effectiveness of these sustainable policies, given the short planning timeframe, remains uncertain. Using the case of Taiwan, the 'motorcycle kingdom,' targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 and full motorcycle electrification by 2040, this paper assesses whether traditional motorcycle repair workers are receiving a just transition amidst vehicle electrification. Vehicle maintenance is essential for daily motorcycle riding, but Taiwan's top-down scheme to retrain traditional mechanics for electric motorcycle repairs seems to have not yet met expectations. Electric motorcycle maintenance requires skills different from those of traditional repairs, putting workers at traditional repair shops at risk of unemployment during the transition. To ensure a just transition, it is essential to value the experience of traditional mechanics.

This paper collects the experiences of motorcycle maintenance and constructs their repair practices using the elements of Social Practice Theory from a bottom-up perspective. It then examines the transition of traditional motorcycle maintenance shops through a social practice change mechanism, supplemented by an analysis of official documents. The aim is to suggest an approach that better aligns with the experiences of traditional motorcycle repair workers in achieving just transitions. This paper highlights that, alongside training, subsidies, and hardware support, preserving and transferring traditional motorcycle culture is important for realising a sustainable society. The deeply rooted motorcycle culture might be seen as a hindrance to the low-carbon transport transition, but it actually represents the values and practices woven into everyday life. Motorcycle culture is often overlooked in rapid policy development, yet it is crucial to consider when fostering a supportive environment for low-carbon transitions.