Summary_Reader's Response - Draft #2

In the article, "Electric vehicles will take over Singapore. But here’s what must happen first", Kuttan (2020) discusses what Singapore has to accomplish in order to phase out Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles by 2040. The article suggests that we take reference from nations pioneering EV adoption like Norway in order to pull our weight in the global fight against climate change. He argues that our current policies should expand on consumer-centric strategies, car-lite infrastructure, and private sector engagement through sustainable financing models. The transition should be accompanied by encouraging EV adoption, where targeting commercial fleets and training an EV-technician pool would have swift impact. Overall, Singapore has proved committed to making constructive, albeit challenging, developments. In my opinion, the government's recent announcement on expanding the charging network is a step in the right direction. However, encouraging rapid market adoption by adapting policies and addressing consumer concerns is vital to successfully drive the transition of private vehicles to EVs.

A major hindrance to widespread EV adoption is the high total cost of owning one. Due to the infancy of Electric Vehicle (EV) technology (Goh, 2021), an entry-level EV may cost as much as a luxury Internal Combustion Engine Vehicle (ICEV). This is exacerbated by the fact that Singapore has the world's highest cost of car ownership (The Straits Times, 2018). Singapore's main strategy to offset the purchase cost is to provide cash rebates but Singaporeans are still doubtful of its total cost effectiveness. As seen in the early 2000s, the lauded Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle's (CNGV) population rapidly declined into non-existence after the government dismantled its rebate schemes (Mokhtar, 2021).  CNGV past owners also cited the high cost of maintenance and fuel as a driving reason for its downfall. As affordability is a key deciding factor especially for consumers in an expensive nation, there are no convincing reasons for them to make the switch. The government has to revamp vehicle pricing schemes and review the recurring costs of EV ownership as compared to an ICEV to make EVs more attractively priced.

Perceived inconvenience is also an inhibitor to EV adoption. Consumers may equate EV ownership to constantly being at risk of running their battery flat mid-journey or added 're-fuelling' time, although these are not critical flaws considering our island's small land area. Alley (2019) claims that Norway was successful in their transition as they widely incentivised adoption beyond competitively priced EVs, like permitting travel on restricted bus lanes, free parking, and discounted ferry transports. I feel that Norway successfully provided a set of benefits unique to EV owners to compensate for the possible inconveniences of EV ownership. To effectively persuade the Singaporean consumer, the government must explore how to apply such benefits in a local context and reflect it through public policies to make an EV future a reality that is within reach.

Some might argue that Singapore is actively improving convenience by rapidly expanding the charging network to 60,000 chargers within the next decade. However, we need to note that convenience is inseparable from accessibility. Teo (2021) points out that fast EV chargers are less likely to be incorporated into existing public carparks as they are not designed to operate charging stations.  Abdullah (2021) also points out that private land owners are hesitant in adapting their carparks, citing a lack of demand from residents and implementation complexity. Inaccessibility to fast charging, or charging in general, in private land and mature public estates diminish the effectiveness of charging location numbers. Economist Walter Theresa (Abdullah, 2021) indicated that the government should "establish a set of best practices" that address the legal and technical hurdles of charging point construction to boost its expansion. Hence, I believe that the government can induce a tipping point in favour of EV ownership by proving to consumers that chargers will be readily available to them regardless of where they work or live.

In essence, Singapore's current schemes and policies have laid the foundation for an EV future. However, a successful transition towards EVs are not limited to the number of charging locations. EV adoption through consumer assurance, continual government support, changing consumer perceptions, and accessible chargers should be considered in tandem with public charging facilities' growth. These changes can and should be accelerated through public policies which is critical in meeting Singapore's target for a zero-emissions private vehicle fleet.

References:

Abdullah, A. Z. (2021, February 17). Amid push for electric vehicles, getting charging points installed in condominiums remains a challenge. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/electric-vehicles-ev-charging-points-condominiums-singapore-357416

Alley, O. (2019, September 26). Why Norway is the world leader of the EV revolution. Driven. https://www.driven.co.nz/news/why-norway-is-the-world-leader-of-the-ev-revolution/

Goh, Z. X. (2021, January 28). Why are electric cars so expensive in Singapore? SgCarMart.com. https://www.sgcarmart.com/news/writeup.php?AID=565

Kuttan, S. (2020, February 23). Commentary: Electric vehicles will take over Singapore. But here’s what must happen first. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-budget-2020-electric-vehicles-ice-ves-hybrid-car-2040-1338746

Mokhtar, F. (2018, February 1). Once touted as the next big green thing, CNG vehicles have had a bumpy ride. TODAY Online. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/once-touted-next-big-green-thing-cng-vehicles-have-had-bumpy-ride-spore

Teo, G. (2020, March 11). 28,000 charging stations for electric cars is possible - but where? Industry players weigh in. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/electric-vehicles-budget-2020-charging-points-energy-770251

The Straits Times. (2018, March 15). Car costs make Singapore world’s priciest city, again. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/car-costs-make-singapore-worlds-priciest-city-again

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