EMA leads study to put electric vehicles on Singapore roads

Channel NewsAsia 6 May 09;

SINGAPORE: A multi-agency taskforce chaired by the Energy Market Authority and Land Transport Authority has been set up to lead tests and research into the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs)in Singapore from 2010.

The programme will see $20 million set aside to support infrastructure development and tests for electric vehicles.

The test-bed is expected to run for three years, between 2010 and 2012 and based on the results gathered, the taskforce will evaluate the scope for larger scale adoption of EVs in future.

The task-force will see the involvement of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), and members across different ministries and statutory boards, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), the Economic Development Board (EDB), and the National Environment Agency (NEA).

Also involved are key industry players such as auto manufacturers and technology companies who will be able to help examine infrastructure requirements and new business models arising from EVs, as well as to identify industry and R&D opportunities.

In terms of transport, Mr Lawrence Wong, Chief Executive of EMA said Singapore is well-positioned for the deployment of EVs because of its compact urban
environment, and robust electrical grid and IT infrastructure.

He addded that the test bed will also provide a platform for companies to test out different EV prototypes and charging technologies as well as allow Singaoure to do more research in the area of vehicle-to-grid power.

"In particular, if EVs are able to provide power to the grid during peak periods, and draw power from the grid during off-peak periods, they will help to level the demand (load) on the grid, thereby enabling our power system to operate more efficiently” said the EMA head.

The EV test-bed offers potential economic benefits for manufacturing and R&D, such as in areas like battery technology, power electronics and electric drive systems, which could generate new and high-value investments.

So far, two groups Renault-Nissan and Keppel Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the EV taskforce.

Renault-Nissan will supply EVs to the Singapore market and share its knowledge of such vehicles to develop common standards, while Keppel Energy will focus on developing charging stations and other infrastructure to support the test-bedding of EVs.

A $20m joltfor electric cars
New taskforce to look at introducing them in Singapore
Today Online 7 May 09;

A MULTI-AGENCY taskforce has been set up to lead tests and research into the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore from next year.

Some $20 million has been set aside to get the Republic plugged into such vehicles. The programme is expected to last until 2012 and based on the results gathered, the taskforce will evaluate the scope for large-scale adoption of EVs in future.

The taskforce, to be chaired by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA), will see the involvement of different ministries and statutory boards, including the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, the Economic Development Board, and the National Environment Agency.

Also involved will be key industry players such as auto manufacturers and technology companies, who will be able to help examine infrastructure requirements and new business models arising from EVs, as well as to identify industry and research and development (R&D) opportunities.

Mr Lawrence Wong, chief executive of EMA said Singapore is well-positioned for the deployment of EVs because of its compact urban environment and robust electrical grid and IT infrastructure.

He added that the EV test-bed will also provide a platform for companies to gauge different vehicle prototypes and charging technologies, allowing EV owners to sell unused power back to the Republic’s electricity grid.

“In particular, if EVs are able to provide power to the grid during peak periods, and draw power from the grid during off-peak periods, they will help to level the demand (load) on the grid, thereby enabling our power system to operate more efficiently,” said the EMA head.

The EV test-bed offers potential economic benefits for manufacturing and R&D in areas such as battery technology, power electronics and electric drive systems, which could generate new and high-value investments.

So far, two groups — Renault-Nissan and Keppel Energy — have signed a memorandum of understanding with the EV taskforce. Renault-Nissan will supply EVs to the Singapore market and share its knowledge of such vehicles to develop common standards, while Keppel Energy will focus on developing charging stations and other infrastructure to support the test-bedding of EVs.

In January, the LTA gave approval for a new electric scooter to be brought to Singapore by local company Zeco Scooters.

Test-bedding of electric vehicles from 2010
Taskforce led by EMA, LTA to identify infrastructure needs, R&D opportunities
Samuel Ee, Business Times 7 May 09;

THE Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) will lead a multi-agency taskforce to spearhead the test-bedding of electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore from 2010.

Under the programme, infrastructure requirements and new business models for EVs will be identified, as well as industry and research and development opportunities.

The taskforce will include different ministries and statutory boards, including the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), the Economic Development Board and the National Environment Agency (NEA). Key industry players will also be involved in the $20 million programme to shape the future of electric transport in Singapore.

All automotive manufacturers and technology companies interested in shaping the future of electric transport are also welcome, EMA said yesterday at an MOU signing ceremony with Renault-Nissan and Keppel Energy.

Under the MOUs, Renault-Nissan will supply EVs to the Singapore market and share its know- ledge of them to develop common standards, while Keppel Energy will focus on developing charging stations and other infrastructure to support the test-bedding of EVs.

EMA chief executive Lawrence Wong said the increase in the vehicle population worldwide and growing evidence of climate change require significant changes in transport to bring about a more sustainable future.

'One promising way forward is the electrification of land transport,' he said. 'Electric motors are inherently more efficient than internal combustion engines, effectively utilising more than 90 per cent of the energy provided, compared with 37 per cent for today's conventional car engine.'

Mr Wong said the advantages are significant, with the zero emissions of electric vehicles improving urban air quality.

Based on the results of the test bed, the taskforce will evaluate the scope for larger scale adoption of EVs as the technology matures.

According to EMA, electric-drive vehicles have two other efficiency advantages: no energy is consumed while the car is at rest or coasting, and energy normally lost when braking is captured and used. Currently, several electric-drive vehicles are available, from petrol-electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, to plug-in electric hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

'Singapore is well-positioned for the deployment of EVs because of our compact urban environment, and robust electrical grid and IT infrastructure,' Mr Wong said.

He said the test bed will provide an open platform for companies to test different EV prototypes and charging technologies.

'At the same time, we would like to do more research in the concept of vehicle-to-grid power,' he said.

'In particular, if EVs are able to provide power to the grid during peak periods, and draw power from the grid during off-peak periods, they will help level the demand (load) on the grid, thereby enabling our power system to operate more efficiently.'

Government plugs $20m into electric car trial
Money to be used for research and setting up public charging stations
Christopher Tan, Straits Times 7 May 09;

THE Government is investing $20 million to help roll out electric vehicles (EVs) in Singapore from next year.

The fund will be used largely to set up charging infrastructure for a test fleet of electric cars due here from mid-2010.

An initial fleet of about 50 cars will be from the Renault-Nissan alliance, which is among several carmakers working to launch battery-powered cars worldwide.

'Singapore is an ideal location for electric vehicles,' said Mr Lawrence Wong, chief executive of Energy Market Authority (EMA), which is chairing a multi-agency team involved in the trial.

'Our small geographical size and high-density urban setting mean that driving distances are short. The average passenger vehicle mileage is less than 60km a day, well within the electric driving range.'

Mr Wong was speaking yesterday at a ceremony to formalise the trial that involves the Economic Development Board; Agency for Science, Technology & Research; National Environment Agency; Land Transport Authority; Renault-Nissan; and Keppel Energy, which will help set up public charging stations.

The test-bedding, expected to last till 2012, is the first government-funded initiative to help pave the way for EVs to run here. The move mirrors similar plans in various other cities. London has been testing a fleet of 100 electric Smarts since December; California opened its first quick-charge station last month; and in Paris, a new online map shows the location of charging points in the city.

In Singapore, several other carmakers are expected to join the three-year evaluation programme. These could include BMW, which is producing more than 500 electric Minis for tests in cities from New York to Berlin; and Volkswagen, which recently stated that it would be the first to produce an affordable electric car.

Part of the $20 million set aside will go towards research, particularly on how EV owners can sell unused power back to Singapore's electricity grid.

Mr Wong said: 'If EVs are able to provide power to the grid during peak periods and draw power from the grid during off-peak periods, they will help to level demand...enabling our power system to operate more efficiently.'

He said this would make economic sense to EV owners if peak and off-peak electricity tariffs are differentiated when the power market is fully liberalised.

Singapore has been studying the feasibility of introducing EVs here for over 10 years now.

Mr Wong said 'at this stage, it is too early to tell whether electric vehicles will take off commercially, or whether they will be superseded by other technologies'. But he pointed out that EVs are cleaner and more efficient than internal combustion vehicles as they can convert up to 90 per cent of energy used to motion, versus 37 per cent for a petrol-run car.

Mr Wong added that even if EVs are recharged by electricity from gas-fired power plants, 'it is still possible to reduce emissions because such plants generate energy far more efficiently than an internal combustion engine'.

The test in Singapore is believed to be the first where EVs are subjected perennially to hot and humid conditions, which observers say could sap battery power and shorten the range of an electric car.

But Renault electric vehicle programme director Thierry Koskas is confident that the company's first electric car will be able to run for 160km on a full charge. 'That includes air-conditioning,' he said, adding that the batteries' lifespan is '10 years or 200,000km'.

The greatest hurdle for EVs remains cost, with models expected to cost 1.5 times more than petrol equivalents. Singapore's green vehicle rebate, which grants a 40 per cent cut in the main car tax, will offset only part of the price premium.

Mr Koskas said one way around this could be to sell the car and lease the batteries separately. An EV without batteries costs about the same as a petrol model, he said. The batteries can be leased at around $140 per month.

'This will still be cheaper than running a petrol car because the cost of recharging is peanuts,' he added.

EVs are expected to be available at showrooms here from 2011.

Will electric cars create buzz?
Government annnounces $20 million programme for 'green' vehicles
COME next year, our roads will be abuzz with the purr of electric vehicles under a new Government initiative to test their feasibility.
Desmond Ng, The New Paper 8 May 09

COME next year, our roads will be abuzz with the purr of electric vehicles under a new Government initiative to test their feasibility.

A taskforce chaired by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) was announced yesterday to examine the infrastructure and business models for such vehicles.

This $20 million programme is expected to last till 2012 and will involve about 50 electric vehicles.

Does this herald the beginning of the end for petrol cars here?

Not quite. The road bumps are daunting. Other 'green' cars here - hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) - have not exactly been sterling performers.

There are just over 2,100 hybrid and 2,600 CNG cars here, according to a Straits Times report last month.

That's less than 1 per cent of the total local car population of about 550,500 .

The common grouses: Hybrids are more expensive than petrol-driven cars, the CNG infrastructure is inadequate and there's a lack of awareness about such cars. Never mind the smaller carbon footprint and petrol savings.

Even the first commercially available electric vehicles launched here in March have not exactly flown out of the showrooms.

There have only been 10 orders so far for the LTA-approved E-Max scooter, distributor Zeco said last month.

Its low speed - it has a top speed of 50kmh - and its exclusion from the expressways are major turn-offs, said some.

These scooters retail between $6,999 and $7,399 each.

EMA chief executive Mr Lawrence Wong said it's still too early to tell if electric vehicles will take off commercially or even overtake petrol cars here.

He said: 'It may be a situation where a few markets exist. But there will definitely be more diversity in the industry.'

Renault-Nissan will be supplying electric vehicles under this initiative.

Mr Thierry Koskas, Renault's electric vehicles programme director, said: 'With more and more pressure on carbon emissions, we believe electric vehicles are the answer.'

He estimated that an electric car here will likely cost about the same as a petrol car, but car owners will have to rent the battery.

This is because batteries may be replaced by the car manufacturer every few years with technological advances, so it's more cost-effective for consumers to rent them, Mr Koskas said.

It is not known how much the rent will be, but in Europe, an electric car-owner pays about 70 euros ($140) a month to rent the battery and about 20 euros for electricity charges.

Batteries can be charged at stations similar to petrol stations.

Price-sensitive

Associate professor Lee Der-Horng, a transport researcher at the National University of Singapore, said industry players have to make electric vehicles financially attractive.

He explained: 'Singaporeans are very price- sensitive. For electric vehicles to be popular, the price has to be competitive.

'The uncertainty will also be there. It's idealistic to imagine that the majority of vehicles here will be electric ones because of the variety of petrol cars in the market.'

For those who drive frequently to Malaysia, electric vehicles may not be practical unless the infrastructure there is good.

Added Dr Lee: 'Electric vehicles will only take off in a big way if the infrastructure here is comprehensive and car manufacturers start to make more of such vehicles.

'It's more likely we'll see a mixture of petrol, electric and hybrid cars on our roads.'

He added that in countries like the US, the concept of electric vehicles may not take off in a big way because of the travel distance and driving patterns.

But it can be achieved in Singapore due to our small size and well-planned infrastructure, he said.

Dr Michael Li, a transport economist from Nanyang Technological University's business school, said there must be incentives, along with Government support, for people to switch to electric vehicles.

He reckoned that petrol cars will be here to stay - at least for the next five to 10 years.

He said: 'A joint task force will work to create an environment friendly to electric cars owners. But it's not something that will happen overnight.

'Car makers are not ready and it's still cheaper to own a petrol car. But if the Government starts taxing carbon dioxide emissions, car owners will be forced to make some hard choices.'

Business development manager James Lam, who drives a Honda Stream, said he would only switch to an electric car if the petrol cost savings are significant.

Said the 38-year-old: 'Price is the most important consideration. If the ownership cost of an electric car is similar to a petrol one, I may just switch cars to be more environmentally friendly.

'But the electric car must also look good.'