Singapore on Track to Achieve EV Charging Point Target by 2023
Singapore has set ambitious targets for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with the government aiming to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2040. As part of this plan, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has set a target of having 2,000 EV charging points in over 700 Housing Board car parks by the end of 2023. While progress has been slow, with only 30 new EV chargers installed in HDB car parks since January 2023, the LTA has assured that it is on track to meet the objective.
Status of EV Chargers Installation:
The LTA awarded 10-year contracts in November 2022 to five companies, including ChargEco, Charge+, ComfortDelGro Engineering, Shell Eastern Petroleum, and SP Group, to deploy at least 12,000 EV chargers in almost 2,000 HDB car parks by the end of 2025. ChargEco and Charge+ have already launched their EV chargers in HDB car parks, with ChargEco aiming to have charging points in 150 HDB car parks by the end of 2023, while Charge+ plans to add another 250 charging points by mid-year, reaching 600 points by the end of the year.
Charging Rates:
ChargEco, a joint venture between SMRT subsidiary Strides Mobility and electricity supplier YTL PowerSeraya, currently charges $0.502 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for its service. Charge+ charges $0.523/kWh, while SP Group charges $0.594/kWh. The rates do not include the cost of parking.
Contract Requirements:
Under the contract, one out of three charging points must serve both a car and a motorcycle. As a result, the charging cost is based on the amount of electricity dispensed, with no price distinction between the charging of cars and motorcycles. This requirement reflects the government’s commitment to promoting the use of electric motorcycles, which are often overlooked in discussions about EV adoption.
Impact on EV Adoption:
The availability of EV charging infrastructure is a critical factor in the widespread adoption of EVs. While Singapore has made progress in installing EV chargers, there is still a long way to go. In addition to the HDB car parks, the LTA plans to install 60,000 charging points at public car parks, private residences, and commercial buildings by 2030. The government has also introduced incentives such as rebates for EV buyers and lower taxes for EVs to encourage their adoption.
Conclusion:
The latest charging points added to HDB car parks have increased the number of EV chargers to more than 660 in 216 public car parks. In 2021, over 600 charging points were installed under a pilot tender called by the LTA and the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Singapore’s efforts to build a comprehensive EV charging infrastructure will be crucial to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce carbon emissions. With the government’s commitment to achieving its targets, we can expect to see more EV charging points in Singapore in the coming years, which will make EVs a more practical and convenient choice for drivers.