In 1978, the TRA introduced the Tze-Chiang class of trains with the EMU100 series running on newly-electrified tracks between Taipei and Taichung.

This service proved to be extremely popular, prompting the TRA to purchase more trains to meet demand.

In 1984, the TRA awarded Union Carriage & Wagon (UC&W) to build 33 railcars with three cars in each trainset, to be named as the EMU200 series.

The trains were built between 1986 and 1987; notably, parts for the last three trainsets (numbered 209-211) were manufactured by UC&W and assembled in Taiwan by Tang Eng Iron Works.

[3] The train was retired on 28 March 2022, with its final journey departing from Fangliao to Changhua.