Fear of spontaneous combustion keeps buyers away from electric bus auction

Two electric buses were sold for virtual pennies after 14 vehicles that once belonged to a bankrupt transport company were offered for auction in Taichung City today.

The Taichung Branch of the Administrative Enforcement Agency of the Ministry of Justice reminded potential buyers of the danger of volatile batteries before holding the auction for electric buses that were seized from the beleaguered Sifang Electric Bus Company after the company went out of business in October 2023. The buses were what remained after nine of the vehicles were destroyed by a fire in october 2024.

The auctioneers warned buyers that the condition of the electric buses was not good, that the batteries were no longer usable, and there was risk of spontaneous combustion. The vehicles were stored in three parking lots, and buyers were obliged to remove them as soon as possible after purchase.

During the auction, only a few people were active bidders. Bids were made on 8 vehicles, but although no reserve prices were set, bids on six of the buses were deemed too low, and rejected by the agency.

In the end, only two medium sized buses were sold, for NT$18,000 (US$550) and NT$21,000 (US$642) respectively.

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