Introduction
The landscape of transportation is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for sustainable solutions. In an exciting development, ST Engineering and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have joined forces to introduce GoParkin, Singapore’s first integrated smart car park and electric vehicle (EV) charging system. This cutting-edge initiative, deployed on NTU’s main campus, aims to enhance convenience for EV users while contributing to NTU’s sustainability goals. With GoParkin, motorists can now seamlessly park, charge, and pay through a single mobile app, eliminating the hassle of managing multiple platforms.
The GoParkin System: A Game Changer for EV Users
By deploying the GoParkin system, ST Engineering’s urban solutions business is spearheading the development and operation of a comprehensive EV charging network across NTU’s campus. This network aligns with NTU’s commitment to achieving a 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035. The integrated solution ensures EV users have easy access to available parking and EV charging points, enabling them to monitor their vehicle’s charging status and make payments seamlessly through the mobile app.
A Network Expanding to Meet Future Demand
To kick-start this revolutionary project, six EV charging points have already been installed at NTU’s Jurong campus. By June 2023, an additional eight charging points will be rolled out across four more car parks, ensuring broader access to charging facilities. Most car parks will be equipped with 11kW AC chargers, with one car park featuring a high-powered 120kW DC charger for fast charging. Furthermore, plans are underway to expand the EV charging network to more car parks to accommodate the growing demand for EVs.
Integrated Solutions for Motorists and Car Park Operators
Ang Kim Siah, the head of mobility road, urban solutions at ST Engineering, highlighted the benefits of this integrated solution for both motorists and car park operators. GoParkin resolves the inconvenience of using multiple parking and charging platforms. Leveraging their expertise in smart car park and EV charging systems, ST Engineering aims to provide the market with a reliable and cost-effective solution that addresses the evolving challenges faced by drivers, car park owners, and operators, all while promoting sustainability.
Simplifying Campus Mobility
Tan Aik Na, the senior vice president (administration) at NTU Singapore, expressed optimism about the hassle-free park and charge system, especially as EV adoption continues to increase on the campus. The GoParkin system leverages Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, allowing EV users to start a charging session automatically when connecting their vehicle to the charging cable. This feature eliminates the need for manual activation, streamlining the user experience. Additionally, the ANPR system detects EVs that have completed their charging session but continue to occupy a parking lot, addressing the issue of charge hogging.
Enhanced Efficiency and Cost Savings
The GoParkin system not only improves convenience but also offers various operational and maintenance cost savings to NTU. The cloud-based system enables interoperability with other EV charging hardware, providing a unified and real-time view of EV charging and car park operations across all NTU locations. This centralized approach offers advanced analytics, generating valuable insights such as EV charging patterns to optimize operations and revenue streams, facilitating future service planning.
Conclusion
The launch of GoParkin, Singapore’s first smart car park and EV charging system, marks a significant milestone in sustainable transportation at NTU Singapore’s campus. ST Engineering’s expertise in urban solutions, combined with NTU’s commitment to environmental goals, has resulted in an integrated solution that benefits both EV users and car park operators. As the EV charging network continues to expand and enhance mobility experiences on campus,