Singapore Government Makes an E-Vehicle Push

Renault-Nissan has joined forces with the city-state to promote the development of green cars

By Kevin Kwang

Hybrids and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles are currently the preferred choices for green vehicles in the country, with 2,462 hybrids, 4,473 bi-fuel CNG and 26 pure CNG vehicles registered with the Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA), according to the statutory board's September 2009 figures.

The Green Vehicle Rebate (GVR) scheme allows buyers here to enjoy a 40 percent rebate of the vehicle's Open Market Value (OMV) when they purchase an electric, hybrid or CNG car, and this has played a key role in urging many to convert to greener vehicles, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). In an e-mail interview, a spokesperson from the government body added that the scheme has "facilitated the initial adoption of CNG vehicles as a cleaner alternative to diesel vehicles".

With regard to cost savings, Associate Professor Lee Der-Horng, a transport researcher at the National University of Singapore's Department of Civil Engineering, said: "The GVR scheme, while not ensuring price parity between green and conventional petrol cars, helps lower car cost and, when added to other savings like lower petrol consumption, would sway some car buyers to go for the eco-friendly cars."

Despite the rebates, however, such vehicles still make up less than 1 percent of the 900,727 vehicles on Singapore roads today.

In the local green vehicles spectrum, EVs are even further behind hybrids and CNG vehicles in terms of adoption. In fact, the technology is still being researched for use here. Based on the LTA's September 2009 figures, just five electric motorbikes are registered for use on local roads.

In addition, only one company has started making EVs available commercially in the Republic, where Singapore-based Zeco Systems distributes the German-made E-max electric scooters here. According to the vehicle's specifications, the higher capacity 110S is able to travel a distance of 70 to 90 kilometers on full charge, which takes two to four hours. Charging can be done at the company's five solar-powered EV charging stations known as Solar Greenlots.

Betting on EVs

To develop this technology further, the government set up a multi-agency taskforce, which was launched in May 2009 and is under the charge of the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and LTA. The taskforce oversees a testbed program for EVs to "examine infrastructure requirements and new business models arising from EVs". The initiative includes a US$14.3 million (S$20 million) funding scheme that is open to all interested car manufacturers and technology companies, where the monies can be used to support infrastructure development and testbeds.

Renault-Nissan, for one, has signed up to participate in the program. The auto manufacturer said it will supply EVs to the local market and share its knowledge of EVs to develop common standards.

"Singapore is a key priority as the geography of the country and the focus on environment issues can enable fast and strong development of electric cars," said Thierry Koskas, Renault's EV program director.

Asked about the timeframe for launching EVs in Singapore on a larger scale, the EMA taskforce said it is working closely with industry partners to develop the testbed program and plans to have the first batch of EVs on Singapore roads next year.

EVs face challenge to enter market

Lee, though, said he is "not very optimistic" about EV growth in the country, compared to hybrids and CNG-powered vehicles.

While Singapore's small land size, which leads to relatively short travelling distances, means the country has "the soil for growing EV usage", he noted that "consumer behavior and mindset" need to be changed before EVs are embraced locally. The country has a surface area of some 710.2 square kilometer.

"For example, when people buy cars, they don't just buy them to drive in Singapore.

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