Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Cost-Benefit of Dedicated Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles in HDB Multi-Storey Car Parks Versus Radio Frequency Identification-Controlled Power Points

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Transport

a.     what is the reasoning behind the choice to install dedicated charging stations for electric vehicles in HDB multi-storey car parks, instead of alternatives such as radio frequency identification-controlled power points; and

b.     whether dedicated charging stations are the most attractive solution from a cost-benefit perspective.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     The national Electric Vehicle (EV) charging standard, Technical Reference 25 (TR25), sets out the technical safety requirements for EV charging systems in Singapore, such as dedicated charging stations (or ‘fixed chargers’) and ‘non-fixed chargers’. Non-fixed chargers – which could be plugged into radio frequency identification power points – have a higher risk of unsafe use than fixed chargers. For this reason, under TR25, non-fixed chargers at publicly-accessible locations are only permitted at a lower power rating, which consequently leads to slower charging speeds as compared to fixed chargers.

2.     Therefore, from a public safety and charging efficiency point of view, fixed chargers are the more feasible option for our public charging network. Globally, fixed chargers are also the most common mode of charging. The Ministry of Transport and Land Transport Authority will continue to monitor developments in charging technology and facilitate the safe use of promising charging solutions.