EV Adoption Gains Momentum with Promising Growth Rates
Electric vehicles (EVs) now account for 8.4% of all new car registrations in Singapore during the first five months of the year, Transport Minister S Iswaran announced on Wednesday (Jun 8). This figure is more than double the registration rate for the entirety of 2021 and marks a 20-fold increase compared to 2020.
Speaking at Ecosperity Week, an annual sustainability conference by Temasek, Mr Iswaran highlighted this progress as a testament to Singapore’s commitment to transitioning all vehicles to cleaner energy by 2040. “We expect this momentum to gather pace,” he emphasised.
To address range anxiety, a key concern among EV owners, the government has set ambitious targets to enhance Singapore’s EV charging network. By 2025, 2,000 public housing car parks will be equipped with chargers, and a robust network of 60,000 chargers is planned by 2030. “In short, we want to take the anxiety out of range,” Mr Iswaran assured.
Reducing Transport Emissions
Earlier this year, Mr Iswaran announced a goal to cut land transport emissions, which contribute 15% of Singapore’s total emissions, by 80% from their 2016 peak by mid-century. He credited industry partnerships for driving EV adoption, highlighting efforts like Surbana Jurong’s collaboration with SP Group to build Southeast Asia’s largest EV charging hub, featuring 250 charging lots at the Jurong Innovation District.
In addition, the push to decarbonise heavy vehicles is gaining traction. By 2030, 3,000 electric public buses—half the fleet—are expected to be introduced. Logistics companies such as DHL, Bolloré, and Kuehne+Nagel are also adopting cleaner energy vehicles, supported by tax incentives.
Sustainable Aviation and Maritime Transport
Beyond road transport, Singapore is advancing sustainability in aviation and maritime sectors. Mr Iswaran underscored initiatives like the Maritime Port Authority’s DigitalPORT@STM, a digital portal streamlining port operations to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Similarly, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is working with partners to optimise flight operations through advanced air traffic management, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Singapore is also actively engaging in global initiatives, including the First Movers Coalition, and fostering partnerships to promote sustainable aviation. These efforts aim to solidify Singapore’s position as a sustainable global hub for connectivity, paving the way for greener transport solutions across all sectors.
