Singapore is ramping up its Electric Vehicle (EV) plans as it brings forward its target of a net-zero city “by or around mid-century”, in alignment with the Glasgow Climate Pact. With each new initiative announced, Singapore is taking a big step towards its goal to be a truly green city.
In February 2021, the Singapore government unveiled the Singapore Green Plan 2030 (SGP30). Part of this plan includes a comprehensive EV roadmap to help raise awareness of the benefits of EVs to both owners and the environment, and promote EV adoption. This is achieved through initiatives with industry players, such as ride-sharing companies, charging providers, and even mall owners. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has outlined its plans to improve the charging infrastructure to make EV adoption more attractive and convenient, with a target of 60,000 EV charging points by 2030.
Back in 2017, BlueSG was one of the pioneering EV initiatives in Singapore. The ride-sharing initiative was launched in partnership with the LTA and Economic Development Board (EDB) as part of the drive to a more sustainable transport system. While there are other car sharing services that offer EV rentals, BlueSG is still the only point-to-point EV car-sharing service in Singapore — this means renters don’t have to return the car to the starting rental location. With fresh investments announced at the end of 2021, there are plans to expand BlueSG’s existing fleet of more than 1000 EVs, and customers will be able to enjoy a network of more than 1,500 EV charging points.
In the latest set of EV-led initiatives, City Energy has launched a charging mobile app that will excite existing EV owners who drive frequently into Malaysia, and give fresh impetus for EV ownership here. As one of Singapore’s leading gas services that provides sustainable energy solutions for all, City Energy has officially launched Go by City Energy. With just the use of a single mobile app, users will be able to enjoy the seamless convenience of a quality charging service in both Singapore and in Malaysia.
To make the experience fuss-free across borders, Go users can easily charge their EVs at designated charging stations in Singapore and Malaysia by simply scanning a QR code or tapping on the charging station location on the app’s map to start charging. There’s no subscription fee and users only pay when they use. Available 24/7, the charging service offers both AC and fast-charging DC options. This service is great news for EV owners worried about range issues when they travel up north; its launch was also timely as it coincided with the opening of our borders with our neighbour after two long years of blocked borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
From 2025, EV owners living in or visiting HDB towns can expect even more charging options, with at least three charging points in nearly 2,000 HDB car parks. With a majority of drivers living in HDB towns, it makes sense to make these areas EV-friendly. This will definitely make ownership of EVs more attractive and convenient. The LTA will be looking to boost the EV infrastructure further by installing these charging points over the next three to four years.
Moreover, mall developer Frasers Property Retail has rolled out a plan to deploy a total of 36 new charging points in 12 of its suburban malls. Working alongside service providers Charge+, SP Group and Tesla, Frasers’ plan is to install charging points in two phases. The target for the first phase was 27 charging points in eight malls by September 2022. Waterway Point in Punggol was where the first deployment of Singapore’s fastest public EV chargers took place — Charge+ Turbo chargers are capable of a power rating of up to 120kW, which can fully charge an EV in about 30 minutes. There are also Tesla’s Supercharger stations, which are even faster at up to 270kW; however, these are meant only for Tesla EVs.
The signs are promising for Singapore to fulfil its EV targets. We can expect even more exciting EV developments in the near future as more parties jump on board the EV bandwagon to help realise and fashion our island’s EV infrastructure.
