Singapore is testing the feasibility of implementing electric vehicles, electric mobility concepts and business models on its shores

Instability in global oil prices, growing concerns over climate change and issues of energy security have caused governments and carmakers to consider electric vehicles (EVs) as an alternative to conventional vehicles. As a resource-constrained country, Singapore continues to explore sustainable solutions to address its developmental challenges. In 2009, a multi-agency EV Taskforce, led by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), was set up to assess the benefits and feasibility of adopting EVs in Singapore.

Potential benefits to the adoption of EVs include lower maintenance and operating costs for consumers in the long run. On the environmental front, studies have shown that EVs can be twice as energy efficient as conventional cars. Today, the high cost of EVs remains a barrier to its widespread adoption – EVs currently cost up to four times the price of its conventional counterpart, accounted for mainly by the cost of batteries. Nonetheless, rapid advances in battery technology are projected to reduce battery costs, while increasing the driving range and charging efficiency of EVs. Increased popularity of the EV is also likely to result in economies of scale that will further drive down prices. 

With EVs still in the early stages of development, test-beds of electric mobility concepts and business models are taking off in many cities around the world. While results from existing test-beds are useful, the rate of EV adoption will be unique for each city, dependent upon factors such as urban density, public awareness, local weather conditions and the economic affluence of the population. "

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Chief Executive of EMA and Mr Chew Hock Yong, Chief Executive of LTA flagging off the first batch of Mitsubishi i-MiEVs and smart electric drive (ed) Daimler vehicles.

Test-bedding EVs in Singapore

A large percentage of Singapore’s residents live in high-rise public housing. This has an impact on EV adoption, as it means that publicly accessible charging infrastructure is essential for EVs to take off here. On its own, the private sector will be hesitant to invest in charging infrastructure due to the uncertainty in future take-up rates. Recognising this, the EV Taskforce was set up to align and guide the multitude of public and private stakeholders – which includes energy and transport planners, EV manufacturers, charging infrastructure service providers, landlords and EV users – towards a common goal.

On 25 June, the EV Taskforce launched a three-year EV test-bed to test the feasibility of implementing EVs in Singapore, given its urbanised environment and road conditions. Says Chee Hong Tat, Chief Executive, EMA, “The purpose of the EV test-bed is to gain a better understanding of EV technologies, business models and user preferences, which will give us more information to determine the feasibility of using EVs in Singapore.”

The S$20 million (US$16 million) project will focus on gathering data and insights to guide the planning for future deployment of EVs, including the optimal ratio of charging stations to vehicles. It will also provide the taskforce an understanding of the driving experience, the barriers to adoption, as well as the level of infrastructure development required to meet the expected demand from EVs in the coming years.

The EV Players

Singapore is working closely with industry partners to kick-start the project. As of today, the EV test-bed comprises:

• Ten charging stations from German components maker Robert Bosch (South East Asia) Pte Ltd (Bosch);

• Nine i-MiEVs from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Mitsubishi) with 16 more on the way;

• Five Smart electric drive (ed) vehicles from Daimler South East Asia (Daimler), which is contributing another 15 vehicles to the cause;

• The first batch of 11 corporate and government participants leasing or purchasing the cars including Mitsubishi Corporation, Senoko Energy, the LTA and the Ministry of Manpower;

• Renault-Nissan is also expected to bring in up to 50 EVs for the test-bed by 2012.

The charging stations play an important role in the test-bed. For the convenience of the test-bed participants, charging stations are located near their homes and offices and have been designed to automatically collect data on the EV users’ charging patterns.

Charging service provider Bosch is testing its eMobility solution outside of Germany for the first time. Martin Hayes, President and Managing Director, Bosch, describes the eMobility solution as “user-friendly, robust, scalable, cost-effective, highly secure and easily adaptable for future concepts”.

A Land Transport Milestone

Singapore is among the first cities in the world to be a test-bed for an ecologically sustainable and integrated transport solution at the system level. Chew Hock Yong, Chief Executive, LTA, believes that it represents a significant milestone for land transport in Singapore. “We are encouraged by the support of the business community for this test-bed. We all have the same objective, which is to push towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable transport system, and a better living environment in Singapore,” he said.

International firms such as Daimler, GP Batteries, Mitsubishi, Senoko Energy and Vestas have expressed interest in being part of the project. LTA and EMA are optimistic that the support of the business community will greatly help to control the cost of implementation, in turn softening the economic impact of adopting this new technology.