The inter-agency Electric Vehicle (EV) Taskforce, led by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), announced the launch of the electric vehicle test-bed in Singapore today. The objective of the EV test-bed is to test and gauge different EV prototypes and charging technologies given Singapore’s urbanised environment and road conditions, before deciding whether to roll it out for mass adoption.

Key features of EV test-bed

For a start, the EV test-bed will be launched with:

• Three outdoor and two indoor charging stations; 
• First batch of five Mitsubishi i-MiEVs; 
• Four smart electric drive (ed) Daimler vehicles;
• First batch of participants comprising LTA, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Mitsubishi Corporation and Senoko Energy 

The test-bed will focus on gathering data and insights to guide the planning for future deployment of EVs, including the optimal ratio of charging stations to vehicles. For the convenience of the test-bed participants, charging stations have been designed to automatically collect data on the EV users’ charging patterns. To provide an adequate period for data collection, the test-bed will be extended by one year until end of 2013 (Please see Annex for location of EV charging stations).

The first batch of normal charging stations has been deployed at accessible locations for the pioneer batch of EV users. In addition, the first quick charging station will be deployed in the third quarter of 2011 and sited centrally for convenient access. 

EV test-bed participants can also choose the smart fortwo (ed) vehicles by Daimler South East Asia (SEA) Pte Ltd. There will be a total 20 smart ed vehicles available for lease under the EV test-bed  from July 2011. Daimler has joined the test-bed as part of their global programme of testing driver behaviour and customer acceptance of EVs in real-world conditions in major cities around the world.   

The EV test-bed will be scaled up over time, with the charging infrastructure growing in tandem with the take-up rate of EVs in the test-bed. In addition to the five Mitsubishi i-MiEVs already in Singapore, another 10 i-MiEVs are expected to be delivered from Japan by end of this year. 

“The purpose of the EV test-bed is to gain a better understanding of EV technologies, business models and user preferences which will give us more information to determine the feasibility of using EVs in Singapore,” said Mr Chee Hong Tat, Chief Executive of EMA.

Mr Chew Hock Yong, Chief Executive of LTA said, “The launch of the electric vehicle test-bed marks a significant milestone for land transport in Singapore. We are encouraged by the support of the business community for this test-bed.  We all have the same objective, which is to push towards a cleaner, greener and more sustainable transport system, and a better living environment in Singapore.”

Singapore is set to be amongst the first cities in the world to test-bed an ecologically sustainable and integrated transport solution at the system level. Said Mr Tan Choon Shian, Deputy Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board, “The EV test-bed is an excellent example of how Singapore presents itself as a ‘Living Laboratory’, in this case for EV manufacturers, charging solution providers and automotive component players, working closely with various stakeholders in both government and utilities sector. In meeting Singapore’s need for sustainable mobility solutions, we invite private sector players to partner us in the development and testing of innovative solutions."

Robert Bosch (South East Asia) Pte Ltd (Bosch) has been appointed as the first Charging Service Provider (CSP) to design, develop, deploy, operate and maintain the charging infrastructure of Singapore’s EV test-bed programme. Bosch will work closely with future test-bed participants to install dedicated charging stations to meet their charging needs.
       
This is the first time that Bosch’s eMobility solution is being tested outside of Germany. Mr Martin Hayes, President and Managing Director of Robert Bosch (South East Asia) Pte Ltd said, “Our eMobility solution is a comprehensive and state-of-the-art system for the EV test bed. User-friendly, robust, scalable, cost effective, highly secure and easily adaptable for future concepts, it will support the development of a vibrant electric vehicle city transportation ecosystem for Singapore. This aligns with the Singapore government’s vision for an environmental-friendly and self-sustainable transportation infrastructure. We are privileged to contribute to this important milestone.”

Industry participation in EV Test-bed

Interested companies and organisations are welcome to participate in the EV test-bed. They may apply for the Enhanced Technology Innovation and Development Scheme (TIDES-PLUS) which is jointly administered by EDB and LTA. The scheme waives all vehicle taxes such as Additional Registration Fees (ARF), Certificate of Entitlement (COE), road tax and excise duty, for the purposes of R&D and test-bedding of transport technologies. Under the TIDES-PLUS scheme, participants can enjoy the tax waiver for an initial period of six years. Interested parties can visit www.ema.gov.sg for details.

While Bosch has been appointed to roll out the initial charging infrastructure for the test-bed programme, other players are welcome to set up EV charging stations on a commercial basis.