Results of electric vehicle car-sharing proposals will be revealed end-2015: MTI

Channel NewsAsia 11 May 15;

SINGAPORE: The results of the Request for Information (RFI) inviting proposals for the trial of an electric vehicle (EV) car-sharing programme will be revealed by the end of 2015, said the Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck in Parliament on Monday (May 11).

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Economic Development Board (EDB) had issued the RFI in December last year, and the period for submissions has ended, Mr Teo said, in reply to a question by NCMP Yee Jen Jong. The proposals are currently being evaluated by LTA and EDB, added Mr Teo.

As to why Phase 2 will span 10 years, when Phase 1 spanned between 2011 and 2013, the Minister of State said this is because operators under the second phase will have to incur significant upfront cost of investments in the vehicles and the network of charging infrastructure.

"EV Phase 2 will explore fleet-based, shared car operations with the potential to reap economies of scale through higher daily mileage and potentially lower running costs," Mr Teo said. "The 10-year period will allow adequate time for the companies to recover their investment."

He added that those who wish to purchase EVs can benefit from the recently enhanced Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS), under which low carbon emission vehicles stand to enjoy rebates of up to S$30,000 off the Additional Registration Fee (ARF).

- CNA/kk

Govt not adopting diesel hybrid buses on large scale for now: Lui
Olivia Siong, Channel NewsAsia 11 May 15;

SINGAPORE: The Government has decided not to adopt diesel hybrid buses on a large scale for now, said Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew. This is in view of the significantly higher cost and its unproven reliability in the local climate, he said.

Mr Lui said this in a written parliamentary response on Monday (May 11), to a question raised by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong, who had asked for the results of the two diesel hybrid bus trials conducted by public transport operators from 2010 to 2012.

The trials had indicated an improvement in fuel efficiency by about 25 per cent, while the results were less conclusive for emissions. Mr Lui added that fuel savings were also insufficient to offset the 140 per cent higher cost compared to normal buses.

ComfortDelGro Engineering estimated the trials to cost S$1.7 million. The firm had partnered the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the trials. LTA's share came up to about S$660,000.

SBS Transit's diesel hybrid bus trial began in March this year at the manufacturer's initiative, with no government funding. The trial is intended to test the performance of the manufacturer's diesel hybrid buses in Singapore's climate.

Mr Lui said the authorities will continue to monitor prices and find opportunities to test different models of such buses.

- CNA/hs