Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Design Standards in Place to Ensure Future-Ready Carparks can Support Electric Vehicles and Plans for Insurance for Building Protection against Explosions

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what design standards are in place to ensure future ready carparks can support electric vehicles (EVs); and 

b.     whether there is any plan to institute insurance for building protection for HDB properties in case of explosions from EVs or any electric charging mobility systems.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran: 

1.     The Ministry of Transport is studying measures to ensure that new developments provide sufficient electrical capacity for EV charging, and will announce details when ready.

2.     Where safety is concerned, EVs and their charging equipment, like hybrid vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles, are subject to stringent safety standards before they are approved for use. All EVs must comply with internationally-recognised vehicle safety standards, such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulations. Similarly, all EV charging equipment must be compliant with our national charging standard, Technical Reference 25, before they can be installed and used. LTA and other relevant agencies regularly review these standards to ensure their relevance and effectiveness. The Fire Code was also revised in September 2021 to include specific fire safety requirements relating to EV charging stations. LTA requires all EV charging operators in public carparks to obtain and maintain public liability insurance to insure against any third-party losses or damages arising from the provision of EV charging infrastructure.