Amanda Tan Straits Times 5 Sep 10;
This town is big enough for two motor races, one eco-friendly. So rev your electric engines for G1.
The Singapore Environment Council (SEC) yesterday launched the inaugural Singapore G1.
This eco-friendly spoof of the Formula 1 (F1) race will be held at The Float@Marina Bay later this month.
The event is one of the council's ways to pitch electric vehicles and greener technology in a fun manner, said SEC executive director Howard Shaw.
To drive home the message that transport contributes to 20 per cent of the total carbon emissions here, SEC directors and guest of honour Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West District, arrived at the event venue outside Shaw House on bicycles - and a Porsche and BMW modified and fitted with electric motors.
The G1 is expected to become an annual event, held one week before the F1 race in Singapore.
A race among 10 eco-cars, from solar energy types to hybrid, a mass walk and cycle event, and a soapbox car race are some events lined up for the G1 event on Sept 19.
As part of the event, some 40,000 ez-link cards with racing car pictures are on sale at MRT stations.
Mr Shaw said that while there are only a few electric car models now, he believes that in 10 to 20 years, these will be in common use.
He hopes to see matching infrastructure to serve the potential demand. For instance, people who live in apartments will need a place to charge their electric cars.
Meanwhile, local research and development company EV Hub is conducting tests on electric cars. Currently, it takes second-hand cars from brands like Renault, BMW and Porsche and refits them with the greener technology, giving them a new lease of life.
Company director David Chou said: 'We chose these cars because we want people to be proud to drive them. Our message is that electric cars aren't ugly or small.'
