Speech by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Sustainbility and The Environment, Ministry of Transport, Launch of First Batch of Fast Chargers

Mr Tan Meng Dui, CEO, HDB
Mr Lam Wee Shann, DCE(Technology), LTA
Mr Derek Tan, CEO, EVe
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1.     Good morning. I am happy to join everyone in the launch of fast chargers here in HDB Hub. Indeed, this is yet another step forward in our electrification journey.  

Update on EV Adoption

2.     The switch to electric vehicles (EVs) from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is an important part of our decarbonisation strategy for the transport sector, and I am pleased to note that we have made good progress. In 2023, new electric car registrations reached 18.2% of all new car registrations, this is close to 5 times compared to 2021 and about 50% more than that in 2022. In November 2023, registrations for new cleaner energy cars surpassed 75% for the first time. So indeed it is very good progress and we hope that we will continue to keep up this momentum and see more EVs and fewer ICE vehicles on the road progressively.

Update on EV Charger Deployment

3.     The accessibility of EV chargers is an important factor to encourage the switch from ICE vehicles to EVs. To address one of the key deterrents for drivers to make the switch, and that is range anxiety, we got to take it off. This is something that we want to address and recognising this, the Government actually made an announcement in March 2022, of our target of making every HDB town EV-ready by 2025 – that is, deployed with EV chargers. I am pleased to share that we have achieved our interim target of equipping 1 in 3 HDB carparks with EV chargers by 2023. This is made possible through the effort and support, as well as the close collaboration between LTA, EVe, the EV Charging Operators (EVCOs) as well as HDB, SP Group and the Town Councils. Today, there are over 2,400 EV charging points at slightly more than 700 HDB carparks across all HDB towns. These EV charges are primarily slow chargers, and you can find most of them on the 3rd deck of HDB multi-storey carparks. It is a deliberate initiative to try to put these charges around the same floor, so it helps drivers in wayfinding, making it convenient and easy for them. Over the next couple of years, we will deploy EV chargers to the rest of the remaining HDB carparks to ensure convenience in accessing these chargers. Most of us would know, as I've said earlier, that these EV charges in HDB carparks are primarily slow charges.

Our Charging Strategy and Launch of Fast Chargers at HDB Hub

4.     Overnight slow charging will be the predominant charging strategy for our electric light vehicles. So this is particularly suitable for instance, for private electric cars, which are parked at residential carparks overnight for about 6 to 8 hours daily. A duration of about 6 to 8 hours of charging will provide you with an average range of about 300km. Generally, an average daily mileage is about 50km for these cars. It means that most EV drivers will only need to charge once every 5 to 6 days.

5.     While slow charges will meet the needs of most drivers, we also recognise that fast chargers are needed as a supplement, particularly for high mileage vehicles like taxis, private hire cars and commercial fleets. In our conversations with users and stakeholders, the feedback we get is that during the day, they may need a boost, not themselves but their cars need a boost, a top up. And their preference of course is, if they can do it while they are taking breaks, whether it is lunch or coffee break, 30 minutes or one hour. If they can do that, they can minimise downtime in terms of  charging for their vehicles.  Fast chargers would also be useful for private electric car owners in terms of emergency charging, so it’s a quick, opportunistic top up. 

6.     Having said that, most of the fast chargers deployed now beyond the petrol kiosks are mostly found in commercial malls and offices, where parking fees tend to be higher, and hence are not preferred rest spots for these fleet drivers. Therefore, the government plans to deploy fast chargers in more convenient locations to serve the needs of these owners. 

7.     We are pleased to launch the first batch of fast charging points at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh Central, as well as Oasis Terraces in Punggol. With these, while drivers are taking their breaks, 30 minutes to 1 hour, they can give a boost to their cars that will give them an extra 100km to 200km mileage. That also helps in terms of more drivers deciding to convert to electric vehicles, whether they are taxi drivers, for instance, or PHCs and fleet drivers. Beyond these two locations, we will be deploying fast chargers in other HDB neighbourhood and town centres and JTC industrial estates, which are frequented by fleet drivers. We will share with you more on our fast charger deployment plans in the months to come.

Conclusion

8.     I want to end by saying that successful EV transition for us really depends on partnership among the Government, the industry as well as the motorists. Many of the industry players, our charge operators, and the agencies who are supporting us are here. I want to thank you for the strong support, and I look forward to your continued support and partnership so that we can announce even more milestones in the year ahead. And of course, work together for this successful transition and as we step up our progress in charger deployment and work together to build a cleaner transport system for all of us. Thank you very much.