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Ministry of Transport
Speeches

Speech by Senior Minister of State, Ms Sun Xueling, at the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress (ITSWC) 2026 Ministerial Roundtable, in Gangneung, Republic of Korea

19 October 2026

Sectors

AV

Electric vehicles

ERP

Introduction

1.          Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. It is my pleasure to be here in Gangneung.

2.          For 32 years, the ITS World Congress has brought together the global transport community to exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and push the boundaries of innovation. I am glad Singapore can be part of this conversation.

EVs and AVs: connected nodes for AI-powered ITS

3.          The theme of this year’s Congress is “Shaping the Future of Transport through AI-powered Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)”. Singapore recognises the transformative potential of AI. But AI is only as powerful as the data that feeds it. This is why Singapore is building a transport ecosystem where vehicles and infrastructure can communicate, share information, and learn in real time.

4.          Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are central to this. They are not simply less pollutive or driverless. They are software-enabled and data-generating nodes that help us better understand road conditions and manage traffic more effectively.

5.          Today, about 63 per cent of new car registrations in Singapore this year are electric vehicles, and around 11 percent of our total car population is now electric. By 2040, Singapore aims to fully transit into a cleaner-energy vehicle population.

6.          We are also conducting AV trials. In one of our new towns, Punggol, AV shuttles have been trialled since last September to improve first-and-last-mile connectivity for residents. AVs are being tested and deployed in closed environments for logistics and light-goods delivery, and we will continue exploring new use cases. AVs will complement our existing transport network and create a smarter, safer, and more connected mobility ecosystem.

OBUs: connected communicators for AI-powered ITS

7.          Beyond vehicles, we are investing in the digital infrastructure that connects them. More than 98 percent of vehicles in Singapore are equipped with the new On-Board Unit (OBU), as part of our transition to the new satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2 system. Beyond facilitating payments, the ERP 2 system provides valuable traffic data for planning and traffic management, while delivering real-time updates and information directly to motorists. This will enable our vehicles to enjoy smoother and more efficient movements on our roads.

8.          Together, EVs, AVs, and OBUs help to build a more connected transport ecosystem. The data flowing from these technologies is where AI comes in — helping us move from reactive management to proactive planning. By analysing travel patterns and anticipating demand shifts, AI enables more informed decisions on infrastructure and services, supporting Singapore's broader ambition to build a transport system that is not just connected, but predictive and adaptive.

9.          Thank you, and I wish you all a fruitful conference ahead.