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Singapore’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure is experiencing significant growth, supporting the nation’s shift towards cleaner energy vehicles. In the first half of 2024, new electric car registrations represented nearly a third of all new car registrations, up from 18% in 2023 and 12% in 2022. Currently, electric vehicles make up about 2.7% of the total car population, with approximately 18,000 electric cars on the road.
As of now, Singapore has about 13,800 registered EV charging points across the island. Notably, EV charging stations have been established in around 1,000 public HDB car parks, covering roughly half of all such car parks. EV-Electric Charging Pte Ltd (EVe), a subsidiary of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), is on track to install EV charging points in all HDB towns by the end of 2025.
The expansion of EV chargers in non-landed private residences (NLPRs) is also advancing. With co-funding from LTA’s EV Common Charger Grant (ECCG), over 1,200 chargers have been subsidised so far. By the end of 2024, it is anticipated that one in five NLPRs in Singapore will feature EV charging points. The ECCG is set to co-fund 50% of the cost for 2,000 smart chargers until December 2025, or until the funding is exhausted.
In response to industry feedback, LTA will simplify regulations by waiving registration fees for chargers used for educational and research & development (R&D) purposes. This measure, effective by the fourth quarter of 2024, aims to foster innovation and skills development in the sector. This follows a recent announcement by the Minister for Transport, Mr Chee Hong Tat, regarding the waiver of registration fees for short-term chargers used for up to two months.
Singapore’s ongoing efforts to expand EV charging infrastructure are crucial to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles and achieving the country’s sustainability goals. However, as Singapore’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure continues to expand, addressing concerns about the safety and sustainability of EV batteries becomes increasingly important.
While the rise in EV registrations demonstrates their growing acceptance – accounting for nearly 20% of new car registrations in 2023, up from 12% in 2022 – safety and environmental challenges associated with battery technology must be tackled to sustain this momentum.
Research and development are key to improving battery safety and sustainability. Innovations like sodium-ion batteries from NUS address safety issues, offering similar performance to lithium-ion batteries with reduced fire risk. Enhanced battery management systems also play a crucial role in monitoring voltage, current, and temperature to further mitigate fire hazards.
A*STAR is advancing EV battery technology through the Singapore Battery Pack Programme, collaborating with NTU, NUS, and SUTD. Their efforts include developing an immersion cooling system for thermal management and a cognitive digital twin for real-time performance monitoring.
While EVs offer environmental benefits like reduced tailpipe emissions, their overall impact is complex due to significant carbon emissions from manufacturing. Reducing this footprint requires renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and efficient recycling. A*STAR’s EV Battery Testing and Disassembly Line enhances recycling efficiency by automating and speeding up battery disassembly.
ASTAR is also driving sustainability through its Corporate Lab, an SG$ 60 million initiative in collaboration with NTU Singapore and an international partner. This lab focuses on sustainable technologies, including biomass conversion and carbon capture. Additionally, ASTAR’s partnership with an offshore and marine engineering firm explores AI and new energy solutions to enhance maritime sector sustainability.
These advancements underscore Singapore’s commitment to both technological innovation and environmental sustainability, ensuring that its transition to a greener economy remains on track while addressing the challenges associated with EV battery technology.
